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🚩 In the mid-6th century, the Eastern Roman Empire under Emperor Justinian I launched the Gothic War with the aim of reclaiming Italy from Ostrogothic control. After early successes under General Belisarius, including the capture of Ravenna, the Byzantine campaign stalled due to political complications and renewed Gothic resistance. By the late 540s, the Ostrogoths had regrouped under a dynamic and capable new king: Totila.
Totila revitalized Gothic fortunes, recapturing much of Italy and even threatening Byzantine positions in the south. His combination of military prowess and efforts to win over the Italian population posed a serious challenge to Justinian’s ambitions. In response, Justinian appointed a new commander—Narses, a trusted eunuch general known more for his strategic acumen than battlefield experience. With imperial backing and a diverse army of Byzantine regulars and barbarian auxiliaries, Narses marched towards Italy…
📢 Narrated by David McCallion
🎼 Music:
EpidemicSound
Filmstro
📚 Sources:
The Byzantine Wars – John Haldon (2008)
Narses and the Battle of Taginae (Busta Gallorum) 552: Procopius and sixth century warfare – Philip Rance (2005)
50 Battles That Changed the World: The Conflicts That Most Influenced the Course of History – William Weir (2004)
Justinian’s Wars: Belisarius, Narses, and the reconquest of the West – Roy Boss (1993)
#ByzantineHistory #documentary #history
