Flavius Belisarius (l. 505-565 CE) was born in Illyria (the western part of the Balkan Peninsula) to poor parents and rose to become one of the greatest generals, if not the greatest, of the Byzantine Empire. Belisarius is listed among the notable candidates for the title of 'Last of the Romans' by which is meant the last individual who most perfectly embodies the values of the Roman Empire at its best. He served as commander of the military under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I (r. 527-565 CE) with whom he had a notoriously difficult relationship.
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Timeline
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505Flavius Belisarius born in Illyria.
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532Belisarius puts down the Nika Uprising, slaughtering between 20,000 and 30,000 people.
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18 Jan 532The Nika Riots in Constantinople are suppressed when generals Belisarius and Mundus trap the protestors inside the Hippodrome and massacre them, resulting in the deaths of at least 30,000 people before order is restored on 20 January.
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533Belisarius defeats the Persians to the east of the Byzantine Empire and the Vandals of Africa.
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535Belisarius' first campaign against the Ostrogoths in Italy.
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535Belisarius conquers Sicily and Naples.
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536Rome falls to Belisarius.
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2 Mar 537The First Siege of Rome begins as the forces of the Ostrogoths under their king Vitiges surround the city which is defended by the Byzantine forces under General Belisarius, one of the most famous events from the Gothic War of 535-554. After one year and nine days, the Ostrogoths lifted the siege and retreated, leaving Rome intact and Belisarius victorious.
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540Belisarius conquers Ravenna and captures the Ostrogoth king Witigis.
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540Justinian I recalls Belisarius and sends him against the Persians.
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545 - 550Belisarius' second campaign against in Italy against the Ostrogoths under Totila.
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559Belisarius sent on campaign to defeat the invading Bulgars.
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562Belisarius is arrested and imprisoned on trumped-up charges of corruption. Pardoned by Justinian and restored to former position.
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565Belisarius dies in Constantinople of natural causes.
