All Battles

Siege of Rome

537 - 538 • Latium Belagerung (Verteidigung)

Historical Overview

Belisarius defended Rome for over a year with only 5,000 men against a massive force of Ostrogoths under Vitiges.

Quick Facts

Outcome:Byzantine victory; Ostrogoth withdrawal after heavy losses.

Byzantine Empire

  • Commander: Belisar
  • Strength: ca. 5.000 Mann
  • Casualties: Moderat

Ostrogothic Kingdom

  • Commander: Witichis
  • Strength: ca. 45.000 Mann
  • Casualties: Extrem hoch (Seuchen & Kampf)

Strategic Context

Securing control over the symbolic heart of the empire during the Gothic War.

Conflict / War

Justinian's Reconquest

Byzantine victory; flight of Vandal King Gelimer.

Related Literature

Cover of Geschichte der Spätantike: Das Römische Reich von Diocletian bis Justinian 284-565 n. Chr.

Geschichte der Spätantike: Das Römische Reich von Diocletian bis Justinian 284-565 n. Chr.

Non-fictionAncient RomeAncient World

German
Late Antiquity

Historical Locations

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