Illustrious Facts About Belisarius, The Last Great Roman General
The General Who Reconquered Rome
Belisarius proved himself a genius of leadership and strategy, reconquering vast tracts of territory for a power-hungry emperor.
But his exploits on the field of combat couldn’t possibly have prepared him to navigate the treacherous world of politics.
1. He Had No Choice
Belisarius was born around 500 CE in the region known as Thrace, or present-day Bulgaria. It was customary for young men of Thrace to go off and join the army and fight for the Byzantine king, and Belisarius was no exception. A life of brutality awaited him.
2. He Did What Thracians Do
Belisarius joined the Byzantine army in his teens. While little is known about his early training or campaign experiences, he evidently caught the attention of an important figure at a pivotal time for the empire.
3. He Got A Good Posting
The emperor Justin ascended to the Byzantine throne in Constantinople in 518. From peasant origins in Thrace, the new emperor was perhaps wary of the snake pit of imperial politics in the capital city. He staffed his bodyguard with men from his home province. One of these was Belisarius.
Jean-Joseph Benjamin-Constant, CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
4. He Quickly Moved Up The Ladder
Impressed with the young Belisarius’s loyalty, the Emperor Justin authorized Belisarius to form his own separate bodyguard regiment. This formidable grouping would be composed of many of the finest warriors of the empire, equipped with the best weapons from the imperial armorers. Pleased with the path his career was taking, Belisarius met someone who would take things to a whole new level.
