Siege of Rome by Ostrogoths Begins

March 2nd, 537

March 2nd, 537

Siege of Rome by Ostrogoths Begins
How Long Ago?

1488 years, 13 days ago

Location

Rome, Italy

Category

Military & Warfare

War/Conflict

Gothic War

People
  • Vitiges
  • Belisarius
Links & References
Tags

Siege of Rome by Ostrogoths Begins

The Ostrogoth army, led by King Vitiges, initiated the siege of Rome, targeting the heart of the Byzantine Empire. As the situation intensified, General Belisarius executed a strategic delaying action near the Flaminian Gate, where he and a small contingent of his bucellarii narrowly avoided encirclement by enemy forces. This marked a critical moment in the conflict as both sides prepared for prolonged confrontation over control of the city.

Ostrogoth King Vitiges leads a siege of Rome.

Belisarius executed a delaying tactic at Flaminian Gate.

The siege is part of the larger Gothic War.

The city faced severe supply shortages during the siege.

What Happened?

In 537, during the Gothic War, the Ostrogothic king Vitiges launched an aggressive siege of Rome, a pivotal city under Byzantine control. Vitiges aimed to reclaim the territory and assert Ostrogoth dominance in Italy. The siege began in March, as the Ostrogoth forces surrounded the city, cutting off supply lines and hoping to starve the defenders into submission. The Byzantine forces, commanded by the skilled general Belisarius, were tasked with defending the city against this formidable onslaught.

Belisarius, recognizing the urgency of the situation, took decisive action at the Flaminian Gate where he conducted a delaying maneuver against the besieging forces. He skillfully maneuvered his troops, known as bucellarii, a group of elite soldiers loyal to him, to fend off the Ostrogoth army. Despite being almost cut off from retreat, Belisarius’s adaptability and tactical foresight staved off a major disaster. His actions not only bought time for reinforcements to arrive but also demonstrated the tenacity of Byzantine military strategy during a desperate period.

The siege would last several months, with Rome enduring significant hardships due to the lack of supplies. The struggle for Rome encapsulated the broader conflict between the Byzantine Empire and the Ostrogoths, symbolizing the fight for supremacy in the Italian peninsula. As both sides braced for a protracted conflict, the events surrounding this siege would become crucial in shaping the future of Italy and the balance of power in the region.

Why Does it Matter?

The siege of Rome led by Vitiges is significant as it illustrates the intense power struggle in Italy during the Gothic War. It highlights the resilience of Belisarius as a military leader and the strategic importance of Rome. The outcome of this siege would eventually contribute to the Byzantine reconquest of the Italian territories, impacting the geopolitical landscape of the time and the future of the region for centuries to come.

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