Belisarius
Part of The Encyclopedia of Southern Italy.
Belisarius: (b. Illyria; d. AD 565). Byzantine general. Born a commoner of Slavic origins (his name means “White Star”), he entered into a military career, working his way into the highest levels. In 534, he led a Byzantine army to North Africa where he destroyed the Vandal kingdom there, restoring the region to imperial control. In the following year hr turned his attention to the recovery of Sicily and Italy. In 535, Sicily was retaken and he proceeded to invade the Italian mainland. His successes ultimately worked against him as Emperor Justinian became worried that he could become a rival to his own power. Recalled to Constantinople before attaining ultimate victory, his place was taken by his rival Narses. In 559, he successfully campaigned against the invading Bulgars. In 563, he was implicated in a conspiracy again Justinian. Whether guilty or not, he was sentenced to house-arrest for a year. A popular belief that he was reduced to poverty, blinded, and spent the remainder of his life as a homeless beggar is simply an example of anti-Justinian propaganda rather than true. In reality, he spent the remainder of his life in quiet retirement with his wealth, honor and body intact.