Thread by @Arby_K

After Rome became an all conquering Empire, it got kicked out of the Italian peninsula for almost a century, till a general pushed them back in.

And he wasn't even Roman.

Story in the evening ...

https://twitter.com/Arby_K/status/1346282984253521922

Flavius Belisarius was born around 505 in a (likely) Germanic family in Illyria. He would join the Byzantine army and in 526, he would be send to war over Iberia. The Caucasian Kingdom of Iberia was a point of conflict for Byzantium and Sassanid Persia. 1/10

Though the Byzantines were initially unsuccessful, Belisarius would lead the Byzantine army to a successful victory at Dara, leading to Persia eventually settling for peace in 532, though the Byzantines would have to pay tribute. Iberia would remain under Sassanian hegemony. 2/10

Returning as a hero to Constantinople, Belisarius would be at hand to end a riot caused by an insurrection against Emperor Justinian in 532. The Emperor would soon put Belisarius in charge of the Byzantine expedition against the Vandals. 3/10

The Vandals had gained control of the African and Mauretanian provinces of Rome in 435. Belisarius would land in Africa in 533 and set his sight for Carthage, the capital of the Vandals. By the end of the year, Belisarius had defeated and captured King Gelimar. 4/10

Soon the Kingdom of the Vandals was incorporated into the Byzantine Empire. Belisarius was also appointed Consul in 535. But it won't be long before the Emperor called upon his trusted general for another battle. The Emperor had set his sight on Rome's oldest province. 5/10

After Odovacar annexed Italy in 476 ending the Western Empire, Ostrogoths led by Theodoric had taken control of the region in 493. Though Byzantium maintained good relations with Theodoric's daughter, Queen Amalasuintha, her murder in 535 gave Justinian an excuse for war. 6/10

Belisarius would be send at first to Sicily with a force of just 7,500 men. They would find the island more accommodating to Byzantine rule. Soon, they were in Southern Italy though the progress was slow. By the end of 536, Naples had fallen, soon to be followed by Rome. 7/10

In 540, Belisarius received relief from Narses and together they would siege the Ostrogothic capital, Ravenna. As the siege stretched, a section of Ostrogothic nobles would offer Belisarius the throne. Feigning acceptance, he would capture the city. 8/10

Suspicious of his general's motives, the Emperor would recall Belisarius. This would lead to a resurgence of the Ostrogoths. As the war dragged on, Belisarius would be brought back to Italy. Finally, Narses would complete the conquest of Italy in 554. 9/10

Belisarius would retire to Constantinople but would see sporadic action till his death in 565. Soon Alboin of the Lombards would start his conquest of Italy, though Byzantium would retain some parts till 1071, part of which would transform into the Papal states after 751. 10/10