Conflict: The Gothic Wars
Combatants: Byzantines vs. Goths
Location: Italy
Outcome: Byzantine victory
After capturing Rome from the Goths, Byzantine general Belisarius and his army were besieged by a Goth force that outnumbered the Byzantines tenfold. After ten days and severe casualties, Vitiges, the leader of the Goths, ordered a withdrawal in the face of Byzantine reinforcements.
Points of Interest:
Belisarius would pursue and eventually force Vitiges to surrender in 539.
Belisarius, an unparalleled military leader, was recalled from retirement twice to lead Byzantine's armies.
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Sources:
Dupuy, Trevor N., Johnson, Curt, & Bongard, David L. (1992). The Harper's Encyclopedia of Military Biography. New York: Castle Books (HarperCollins).
Dupuy, R. Ernest & Dupuy, Trevor N. (1993). The Harper's Encyclopedia of Military History. New York: HarperCollins.
Eggenberger, David (1985). An Encyclopedia of Battles: Accounts of Over 1,560 Battles from 1479 B.C. to the Present. New York: Dover Publications, Inc.
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