All Battles

Siege of Rome

537 - 538 • Latium Belagerung (Verteidigung)
The Walls and Gates of Rome in the 6th century, incl. the Gothic camps from the Siege of Rome 537-538

The Walls and Gates of Rome in the 6th century, incl. the Gothic camps from the Siege of Rome 537-538

Author: Edward StanfordLicense:PD
Source
Une des illustrations du tome 1 de l'ouvrage Dictionnaire populaire illustré d'histoire, de géographie, de biographie, de technologie, de mythologie, d'antiquités, des beaux-arts et de littérature, rédigé et édité par Edmond Alonnier & Joseph Décembre

Une des illustrations du tome 1 de l'ouvrage Dictionnaire populaire illustré d'histoire, de géographie, de biographie, de technologie, de mythologie, d'antiquités, des beaux-arts et de littérature, rédigé et édité par Edmond Alonnier & Joseph Décembre

Author: Unknown authorUnknown authorLicense:PD
Source
Tancredi Scarpelli - Byzantine General Belisarius conquering Rome in 536

Tancredi Scarpelli - Byzantine General Belisarius conquering Rome in 536

Author: Tancredi ScarpelliLicense:PD
Source
Vitige, king of the Goths, besieging the mausoleum of Hadrian in Rome in 537 (Lodovico Pogliaghi)

Vitige, king of the Goths, besieging the mausoleum of Hadrian in Rome in 537 (Lodovico Pogliaghi)

Author: Lodovico PogliaghiLicense:PD
Source

Historical Overview

The siege of Rome took place on 2 March 537 – 12 March 538 AD and it was the city's first siege during the Gothic War (535–554) between the defending Byzantine Empire's forces under the leadership of Belisarius against a numerically superior Ostrogothic (Goths) force under Vitigis. The siege was the first major encounter between the forces of the two opponents, and played a decisive role in the subsequent development of the war.

Quick Facts

Outcome:Byzantine victory; Ostrogoth withdrawal after heavy losses.

Byzantine Empire

  • Commander: Belisar
  • Strength: ca. 5.000 Mann
  • Casualties: Moderat

Ostrogothic Kingdom

  • Commander: Witichis
  • Strength: ca. 45.000 Mann
  • Casualties: Extrem hoch (Seuchen & Kampf)

Strategic Context

Securing control over the symbolic heart of the empire during the Gothic War.

Conflict / War

Justinian's Reconquest

Byzantine victory; flight of Vandal King Gelimer.

Related Literature

Cover of Geschichte der Spätantike: Das Römische Reich von Diocletian bis Justinian 284-565 n. Chr.

Geschichte der Spätantike: Das Römische Reich von Diocletian bis Justinian 284-565 n. Chr.

Non-fictionAncient RomeAncient World

German
Late Antiquity

Historical Locations

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