General Belisarius was the leading Byzantine general during the reign of Emperor Justinian I.
Although little information about the general's early years is available, a great deal is known about his military career. This is largely due to the writings of Procopius, who, as a member of his personal staff, was an eyewitness to the activities of Belisarius for 15 years.
Belisarius first caught the attention of Justinian as a member of the emperor's bodyguard, and was elevated to a command at about 25 years of age. He distinguished himself in several battles against the Sasanian Empire in Persia, scoring a significant victory at Dara in 530, and by the end of the war was considered its greatest hero. In January 532, when the Nike Rebellion (or Nika Revolt) broke out in Constantinople, Belisarius was there to command the troops that quashed it.
Having earned Justinian's respect, General Belisarius was chosen by the emperor to head up his forces in an attempt to recapture the western empire from the Germanic peoples. His smashing success against the Vandals earned him a triumphal procession upon his return to Constantinople. In 535 he turned his attention to the Ostrogoths, swiftly conquering Sicily, Naples and Rome. Further advancement was hindered by conflicts within his command, but though the Goths besieged Rome for an extended time, they too had their difficulties and by 540 were ready to negotiate. They were willing to surrender to Belisarius personally if he would agree to rule as emperor.
This put the general in a difficult position, for he did not want to jeopardize his relationship with Justinian. He accepted the Goths' surrender but refused the title of emperor; this only antagonized the Goths and failed to alleviate the emperor's suspicions. Justinian recalled Belisarius from Italy, and his successors proceeded to mishandle the governance of the peninsula.
Though now in disfavor, Belisarius was sent to fight the Sasanians again, but problems with his troops overshadowed his successes, and he was stripped of his command. Only the friendship of his wife Antonina and the Empress Theodora kept him from utter ruin. In 544 he was reassigned to Italy, but Justinian did not provide him with the support he needed to restore order there, and he was recalled before the decade was out.
Back in Constantinople, Belisarius was forcibly retired, but was allowed to keep his personal wealth and a household bodyguard. In 559, when Huns threatened the city, the general was called back into service. Through clever strategy he drove the Huns away, then promptly went back into retirement. In 562 he was accused of conspiracy against Justinian; though the charges were most likely false, he was disgraced, and only partially restored to favor in 563. His last few years were spent in relative peace and quiet.
Whatever private opinion Belisarius may have held of his emperor,
he served him unreservedly and obediently throughout his remarkable
career. For his loyalty and brilliant military acumen, many legends
and much misinformation would later spring up about the general.
