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Belisarius under the walls of Rome

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This is an episode from the great Gothic war and year long(537-38) defence of the former Roman Capital by small eastern army lead by famous general Belisar.After being sucesfull in repulsing major attack of the huge gothic army(150 000 says Procopios,but more likely "only"around 50 000)and having also upper hand in numerous skirmishes,Belisar's soldiers and civilians convince Belisar to leave relative safety of Rome's walls,use the luck which seemed to be at their side and engage the gothic army in open battle on the plains around the City,which afterwards lead almost to a complete disaster and only with great amount of luck on thier side Romans managed to retreat behind city walls again.
As procopios described,Roman infantry was dissatisfied after learning their High commander did not inted to use them in upcoming fight in any active or important role,leaving offensive and decisive actions solely to his cavalry units.But two commanders isaurian Tarmatus and Principius from Belisars own household,persuaded him to change his mind,noting also,that it was Roman infantry who built up to Romans an empire in the past.

At the picture Belisar mounted on heavily armoured warhorse near porta Salaria,is surrounded by his regular army units with elite cavalry marching from porta Salaria and forming behind him.In the foreground members of regular Isaurian infantry regiment hold their ground with a massed body of low quality additional infantry made up of Rome's citizens "volunteers" stands under their own flag(Bearing letters Bandvs Roma and stylized image of Colosseum).Principius in the centre just comes before Belisarius with their complaints,behind him Tarmatus is holding a standard bearing an image of imperial couple Justinian and Theodora on the purple field.

Belisarius personal Draco standard is almost the same as fantastic painter Igor Dzis repeatedly have painted in his depictions of belisar's battles.So this is my little tribute to him :-).
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1600x1110px 1.02 MB
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Archanos's avatar

<sigh> What a sight to behold when the holy city was returne to its rightfull owners, the ghost of Aeneas, Romulus, Remus & Octavian shed tears of joy,