Research On The General Belisarius

Flavius Belisarius is one of the most famous generals in the Byzantine Empire, which is a "Golden Age" in the history of the Byzantine Empire. After the accumulation from Anastasius to Justin period, Justinian’s reign opened a new chapter in the history of Byzantine Empire. On one hand, he implemented the new deal in the field of politics, economy, religion, etc; on the other hand, he repeatedly weakened the senators’ forces and enabled boldly a number of outstanding commoner officials in order to stabilize the imperial authority. The emergence of Belisarius, John the Capadocian, and even the Empress Theodora is the result of his New deal.Belisarius plays a more important role in imperial political and military strategy as a loyal strong subordinate under Justinian’s command. From the political point of view, Belisarius is a powerful top military aristocracy, who helped Emperor Justinian safeguard the order of the empire many times, such as suppressing Nika riot, Libya mutiny, Sicily mutiny, etc. The personal friendship between Belisarius and Justinian has also certain influences in the imperial politics. From the military point of view, Belisarius had been spending most of his times on fighting for realizing Justinian’s imperial strategy in34years of military services, since which putting on the armor to the last defense against the invasion of Huns. In the decades of expedition, he successfully stands up to the powerful military threat from the Persian Empire, reconquered the North Africa, as well as laid a solid foundation for ultimately recovering Italy. However, Belisarius had gradually become an objective threat of challenging the imperial authority along with the increase of his fame and wealth, as well as the deepening of contradiction between Justinian and him.Furthermore, Belisarius is also an important character in the Byzantine military history. His courage, spirit and wisdom, his excellent leadership and effective strategy and tactics, as well as his ability of grasping combatant chance and mapping out strategies is the key to victories, that is also the principal part of his generalship. Belisarius’ gracious morality appears more prominent comparing with other colleagues. He is venerated by the masses and soldiers. His reputation was spread abroad.Throughout Belisarius’ life, both his political success or failure and military gain or loss complements each other. Although he benefited from Justinian’s trust and Theodora’s political blessing in early career, in the late the loss of the political power and influence resulted in military defeat directly. Whatever, his contribution to the art of Byzantine military can not been ignored. He produced great influences on the development of the art of Byzantine military by inheriting and referring the art of Roman military, as well as innovating and improving Byzantine heavy cavalry. More than that, his profound influence continued in later generations, and his historical image has never vanished in the long history as time gone away.