Belisarius facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Belisarius
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Belisarius may be this bearded figure on the right of Emperor Justinian I in the mosaic in the Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, which celebrates the reconquest of Italy by the Roman army.
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| Born | c. 500 Germania (modern-day Sapareva Banya, Bulgaria) or Germen (modern-day Ormenio, Greece) |
| Died | c. March 565 (aged 64) Rufinianae, Chalcedon, Bithynia |
| Buried |
Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, Constantinople
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| Allegiance | Byzantine Empire |
| Service/ |
Byzantine army |
| Rank | Magister Militum |
| Commands held | Roman army in the east, land and sea expedition against the Vandal Kingdom, Roman army |
| Battles/wars |
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| Spouse(s) | Antonina |
Flavius Belisarius (around 500 – 565 AD) was a very important military leader of the Byzantine Empire. He served under Emperor Justinian I. Belisarius helped Justinian take back many lands around the Mediterranean Sea. These lands had once been part of the old Western Roman Empire.
Belisarius was known for winning battles even when he didn't have many soldiers or resources. Some people call him one of the "Last of the Romans". He conquered the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa in just nine months during the Vandalic War. He also took back a lot of Italy during the Gothic War.
He won big battles like Ad Decimum and Tricamarum against the Vandals. He made the Vandal king, Gelimer, give up. During the Gothic War, he and his troops recaptured Rome. They held the city against many enemies during the siege of Rome.
Belisarius also won an important battle against the Persians at Dara. He stopped a Hunnish attack at Melantias. He was also clever with military tricks. He once made a Persian army retreat by fooling their commander. He also ended the siege of Ariminum without a fight.
Contents
Becoming a Great General
Belisarius was probably born in a fortified town called Germania. This town is now Sapareva Banya in Bulgaria. He might also have been born in Germen, near Orestiada in Greece. He came from an Illyrian, Thracian, or Greek family.
As a young man, he joined the Roman army. He served in the special guard of Emperor Justin I. Justin and his nephew, Justinian, noticed Belisarius. They saw he was a smart and new kind of officer.
The emperor let Belisarius create his own special guard unit. These were elite heavy cavalry soldiers called Bucellarii. Belisarius later made this unit much bigger, with 7,000 strong fighters. These guards were the main part of all the armies he led. They were heavily armored and carried lances, bows, and long swords. They could shoot arrows from far away like the Huns. They could also charge enemies with lances and swords like the Goths. This made them a very strong and flexible fighting force.
Early Battles & Challenges
In his early career, Belisarius faced some defeats. In his first independent command, he lost a battle at Tanurin. He and his troops had to flee. His army was also defeated at Mindouos. However, he was promoted soon after, so he wasn't blamed for these losses.
After Emperor Justin died in 527, Justinian I became the new emperor. Justinian put Belisarius in charge of a Roman army in the east. In 530, during the Iberian War, Belisarius led the Romans to a big victory. This was at the Battle of Dara against the Sassanids (Persians). This win made the Persian king, Kavad I, want to talk about peace. At Dara, Belisarius dug trenches to guide the Persian army. This allowed his forces to attack them from behind.
Later, Belisarius was surprised by a Persian invasion. He gathered 20,000 Byzantines and 5,000 Arab allies. But he was defeated at Callinicum (modern Raqqa). The Persian commander, Azarethes, was a very skilled tactician. Belisarius had to retreat from the battle. This loss made Justinian's peace talks harder. Belisarius was called back to Constantinople. He was investigated for the defeats at Thannuris and Callinicum. But he was cleared of any wrongdoing.
Stopping the Nika Riots
In 532, a huge riot broke out in Constantinople. It was called the Nika riots. People were angry about high taxes and other issues. The riots were led by groups linked to chariot racing. Much of the city was burned.
Belisarius was in Constantinople when the riots started. Emperor Justinian asked him, along with other commanders like Mundus and Narses, to stop the revolt. Belisarius charged into the hippodrome, where the rioters were gathered. Mundus and Narses also attacked, trapping the rebels. The revolt ended in a terrible massacre. Many people died, mostly unarmed civilians.
Conquering the Vandal Kingdom
In 533, Belisarius started a campaign against the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa. The Byzantines had several reasons for this. The Vandals were Arians and treated Nicene Christians badly. Their king, Gelimer, had overthrown his cousin, Hilderic, who was a friend of Justinian.
The Vandals had also lost many men in recent fights with native Berbers. This made them seem weak. Justinian used Gelimer's actions and the pleas of African Christians as reasons to invade.
Belisarius Leads the Invasion
Belisarius was chosen to lead this important mission. He had shown great skill at Dara. He was also loyal to the emperor. He was seen as a good choice because he spoke Latin and was from a western-oriented region. This made him more trusted by the local people. Belisarius was given full command of the expedition.
His army had about 17,000 soldiers. This included 5,000 Byzantine cavalry, 10,000 infantry, his personal guard, and mercenaries. There were also 500 transport ships and 92 warships. This was a strong and well-balanced force. Gelimer, the Vandal king, probably had only 20,000 men. His army was not as well-trained or equipped.
Journey to Africa
In June 533, the army sailed from Constantinople. Belisarius kept strict discipline. He made sure his fleet stayed together using signals. When they reached Sicily, 500 men died from bad bread. Belisarius quickly got fresh supplies. He also sent spies to learn about the Vandals. He found out they were not ready for an invasion. Most of their fleet was away.
Belisarius decided to sail straight for the Vandal heartland. This was a risky move, but the Vandals were unprepared. He landed at Caput Vada, about 162 miles from Carthage. He built strong defenses to protect his army and ships. This was to avoid past Roman failures in Africa.
The Campaign Begins
When Gelimer heard of the landing, he quickly gathered his troops. He had Hilderic, the former king, killed. Gelimer planned to ambush Belisarius at Ad Decimum. He knew the Byzantines would use the coastal road to Carthage.
Belisarius was careful. He punished soldiers who took fruit from locals without asking. He told his men that they needed the locals' support to win. He sent a small unit to the town of Syllectus (Salakta). The town eventually welcomed the Byzantines. Belisarius also released a captured Vandal messenger. He paid the messenger to spread the word that Justinian was only fighting Gelimer, not the Vandal people. This helped gain local support.
As Belisarius marched, his army's good behavior spread. Many people began to support the Byzantines. He advanced slowly, building a fortified camp each day. When he was 40 miles from Carthage, he knew the Vandals were close. He advanced with about 18,000 men. Soon, he would meet Gelimer at Ad Decimum.
Battle of Ad Decimum
The Battle of Ad Decimum was a key fight. Gelimer planned to trap Belisarius's army in a narrow valley. His forces, numbering about 10,000–12,000, were outnumbered. But Gelimer's plan relied on perfect timing.
Belisarius left his infantry and supplies in a safe camp. He rode out with his cavalry, which was his army's main strength. When Belisarius arrived, his scouts and Huns had already defeated parts of the Vandal army. Gelimer's brother was killed in the battle. Gelimer became too sad to fight. This allowed Belisarius to attack the disorganized Vandal forces. Belisarius won a big victory.
Taking Carthage and Tricamarum
After the win, Belisarius marched to Carthage. He camped outside the city at night. He feared an ambush and wanted to stop his troops from looting. Belisarius gathered the Vandals hiding in Carthage and promised them safety. He also had Carthage's walls repaired.
News of Carthage's capture spread fast. Many African cities joined the Byzantines. This made it hard for Gelimer to continue fighting. Gelimer got more soldiers and tried to make some of Belisarius's men switch sides. Belisarius stopped this. He publicly executed a Carthaginian who was working for the Vandals.
Later, a second battle happened at Tricamarum. Belisarius advised John the Armenian, who led the fight. The Byzantines won again. Belisarius sent John to chase Gelimer. Gelimer eventually surrendered. Belisarius also sent forces to capture Sardinia and Corsica.
Some of Belisarius's officers became jealous. They told Justinian that Belisarius wanted to rebel. Justinian offered Belisarius a choice: govern the new territory or return to Constantinople for a triumph. Belisarius chose the triumph. This showed Justinian his loyalty. The war ended by late 534. Belisarius was honored with a triumph and made a consul.
Stopping a Mutiny
After Belisarius left Africa, a mutiny (rebellion) broke out. Soldiers were angry about not being paid. Belisarius returned briefly to help. When the rebels heard he was coming, they stopped their siege of Carthage. Belisarius attacked them with only 2,000 troops. He won the Battle of the River Bagradas. He took advantage when the rebel army moved, attacking them while they were disorganized. After this, Belisarius left for Italy.
The Gothic War in Italy
In 535, Justinian sent Belisarius to attack the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy. The Ostrogothic king, Theodahad, had taken the throne by force. Justinian thought the Goths were weak due to their internal problems.
Belisarius gathered about 8,000 soldiers. He landed in Sicily and took the island. This was to use it as a base for invading Italy. The only Gothic resistance was at Panormus. Belisarius quickly captured it using archers on his ships' masts. He entered Syracuse triumphantly on December 31, 535.
Belisarius then crossed into mainland Italy. He captured Naples in November and Rome in December 536. Before Naples, he met no resistance. Many troops in southern Italy disliked Theodahad and joined Belisarius.
Naples had strong defenses. Belisarius couldn't storm it easily. He cut off the city's water supply. A small Byzantine force found a secret entrance through an aqueduct. They entered the city. Belisarius then launched a full attack. He was kind to the city and its soldiers. This encouraged other Goths to surrender later. The fall of Naples led to Theodahad being removed as king.
The new Gothic king, Vitiges, sent soldiers to Rome. But the people of Rome supported the Byzantines. The Gothic troops fled, leaving Rome undefended. Belisarius garrisoned towns along the supply lines to Rome. This forced Vitiges to besiege these towns first.
Defending Rome
From March 537 to March 538, Belisarius successfully defended Rome. He faced a much larger army led by Vitiges. Belisarius launched many successful small attacks, causing heavy losses to the Goths. His horse archers were very effective in the open areas around Rome.
When Vitiges tried a full attack, Belisarius ordered archers to shoot at the oxen pulling the siege equipment. This made the attack fail. Belisarius also attacked the Goths when they retreated. Vitiges eventually had to give up the siege and retreat to his capital, Ravenna. The siege had lasted a full year.
Dealing with Church Politics
During the siege of Rome, Belisarius was involved in a church matter. Empress Theodora asked him to remove the current Pope, Pope Silverius, who had been chosen by the Goths. Belisarius was to replace him with Vigilius. Silverius was accused of working with the Goths. Belisarius had him removed and sent away. Silverius later died. Belisarius later built a small chapel in Rome to show his regret. He also built places for pilgrims and a monastery.
Belisarius and Narses Work Together
Later, more Byzantine soldiers arrived in Italy. They were led by Narses, another important commander. The Byzantines were divided into two groups. One group, led by Narses, wanted to attack Ariminum right away. The other group, led by Belisarius, wanted to secure their rear first.
Belisarius used a clever trick to make the Goths retreat from Ariminum. He made them think his army was much bigger than it was. He approached from many sides and had his troops light many campfires. The Goths were fooled and left.
Narses's supporters tried to turn him against Belisarius. They said Narses, as a close friend of the emperor, shouldn't take orders from a general. Belisarius showed a letter from Justinian. It said Belisarius had full authority in Italy. Narses eventually accepted Belisarius's command.
The Byzantines captured more cities like Urbinum and Urviventus. However, a Gothic attack on Mediolanum (Milan) succeeded. The Byzantine commanders under Narses refused to help. The Goths brutally suppressed the revolt in Mediolanum. Narses was then called back to Constantinople.
Finishing the Conquest of Italy
In 539, Belisarius besieged Auximum and Faesulae. He starved both cities until they surrendered. This secured his rear before moving on Ravenna. The Gothic king Vitiges couldn't send help because of food shortages in Italy.
Belisarius then surrounded Ravenna, the Ostrogothic capital. The Byzantine navy blocked the city from the sea. The Gothic nobles offered Belisarius the throne of the "western empire." Belisarius pretended to accept. He entered Ravenna with his personal guard. He then announced that he had captured Ravenna for Emperor Justinian. Justinian became suspicious of Belisarius because of the Goths' offer. Belisarius was called back to Constantinople. He returned with the Gothic treasure, king, and warriors.
Later Military Actions
Fighting the Persians Again
Belisarius's next job was to fight the Persians in the east. The Persian king, Khosrow, attacked Lazica. Belisarius sent spies to gather information. He trained his troops, who were scared of the Persians. He decided to attack Persia. Some officers worried about the Lakhmids (Arab allies of Persia) raiding Byzantine lands. Belisarius said the Lakhmids would be busy with religious celebrations.
Belisarius approached Nisibis. He set up his camp far from the city. He explained that if the Persians attacked and were defeated, his troops would have more time to kill them as they retreated. Some officers disagreed and camped closer. The Persians attacked them when they were getting food. Belisarius quickly came to help and won the battle.
He then besieged Sisauranon. His attacks were pushed back, but the city ran out of supplies and surrendered. Many of Belisarius's troops got sick. The Lakhmids were also about to attack. Belisarius decided to retreat.
In 542, Belisarius used a trick to make the Persians call off an invasion. Khosrow wanted to raid Byzantine land. Belisarius moved his army to the area. When Khosrow sent an ambassador, Belisarius met him with 6,000 of his best men. They carried only hunting gear. This made it look like a small part of a much larger, high-quality army. Khosrow was fooled and retreated. Belisarius kept pressure on the Persians as they left. Belisarius was praised for stopping the Persians.
Return to Italy and Challenges
While Belisarius was in the east, the situation in Italy got much worse. The new governor was not good. Many Byzantine soldiers left or rebelled. The Goths, led by Totila, went on the attack. They recaptured much of Italy.
In 544, Belisarius was sent back to Italy. He could only gather about 4,000 men. Justinian couldn't send many resources. The plague had weakened the empire.
Totila avoided big sieges. He preferred open battles, where he often won. Belisarius, with his small army, wanted to avoid battles. He focused on preventing the Goths from gaining ground.
Many soldiers in Italy were still rebelling or changing sides. Belisarius hoped his return would stop this, but it didn't. He managed to send supplies to a besieged Byzantine garrison. He also sent men to rebuild forts. But he couldn't do much more.
Belisarius asked for more barbarian horse archers. He knew the Goths couldn't fight them well. But Justinian was fighting many wars and the plague was still a problem. He couldn't send more money or equipment.
Totila was very successful in his sieges. The commander of Rome's garrison, Bessas, didn't help Belisarius. He was afraid of being treated badly later. Belisarius tried to send supplies to Rome. He used a clever trick to get past a blockade on the Tiber River. But he couldn't prevent Totila from eventually capturing the city in 546.
After Rome was captured, Totila wanted peace. Justinian replied that Belisarius was in charge of Italy. Belisarius later marched on Rome himself. He faced an ambush but fought well. He eventually recaptured Rome. Totila tried to besiege it again but gave up. Rome stayed in Byzantine hands until after Belisarius left.
After this difficult campaign, Justinian removed Belisarius from command in 548–49. In 551, Narses led a large army to finish the war in Italy. Belisarius retired from military life.
His Last Battle
Belisarius's retirement ended in 559. An army of Kutrigur Bulgars led by Khan Zabergan invaded Roman land. They came close to Constantinople. Justinian called Belisarius back to lead the army.
Belisarius had only 300 experienced soldiers from the Italian campaign. He also had about 1,000 civilians who were refugees. He had them dig trenches and light many torches to make his army look bigger. He positioned his 300 veterans in a narrow pass. This stopped the 7,000 Huns from using their numbers or arrows effectively.
When 2,000 Huns attacked, Belisarius had his veterans charge. The civilians made a lot of noise behind them. This confused the Huns. Belisarius attacked their rear. The Huns were packed together and couldn't use their bows. They fled in disorder. Belisarius was again called a hero in Constantinople.
Later Life and Legacy
In 562, Belisarius faced accusations of being involved in a plot against Justinian. He was found guilty and put in prison. But soon after, Justinian pardoned him. He was released and welcomed back to the imperial court. This is different from a later story that said Belisarius was blinded.
Belisarius and Justinian died within a few months of each other in 565. Their partnership had helped the empire grow by 45 percent. Belisarius owned an estate called Rufinianae. He may have died there and been buried near a church in Constantinople.
How Belisarius Fought
Battle Tactics
Belisarius learned from his early defeats. At the Battle of Dara, he won by predicting and influencing enemy movements. He attacked their rear when they tried to break through. At Callinicum, he tried a similar plan but failed. He didn't position himself well and couldn't see the enemy's movements.
In Africa, at Ad Decimum, he accidentally walked into an ambush. But he quickly saw a chance to gain an advantage. He acted fast, unlike the Vandal king Gelimer.
In Italy, he often used sieges to defeat the Goths. He was so good at them that the Gothic leader Totila tried to avoid them. Belisarius also used deception, like at Ariminum, to make enemies think his forces were larger.
Overall Strategy
Belisarius always tried to keep his army's rear safe. He would besiege cities like Auximum before moving deeper into enemy territory. Sometimes, he would operate with an enemy force behind him, but only if he knew they were weakened.
He didn't like to split his forces into small groups. He believed this made them too weak. His main strategy was to go on the attack first. Then, he would take strong defensive positions. This forced his enemies to attack him, causing them heavy losses. He would then finish them off with his strong cavalry and horse archers. This strategy helped him defeat larger enemy armies. Historians say his strategic skills were unmatched.
His Character as a Leader
Belisarius was not afraid to fight on the front lines with his soldiers. He inspired them in battle. He was also a cautious commander. He knew his limits and tried to act within them. He often went out with small forces, where he could control them better.
One of Belisarius's best traits was his kindness to soldiers and civilians. This made local people support him. Many enemy garrisons also surrendered because they expected fair treatment. This kindness put pressure on enemy leaders like Gelimer.
He was also known for his calmness in danger. During the siege of Rome, a rumor spread that the Goths were in the city. His men wanted to flee. But Belisarius stayed calm. He sent men to check the rumor and told his officers that he would handle the situation.
Historians generally think very highly of Belisarius. They praise his victories at Dara, Ad Decimum, and Tricamarum. Some even put him among the best commanders in history.
Battle Record
| Date | War | Action | Opponent/s | Type | Country (present day) | Outcome |
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| Summer 528 AD | Iberian War | Battle of Thannuris | Sasanian Empire | Battle | Syria | Defeat
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| 528 AD | Iberian War | Battle of Mindouos | Sasanian Empire | Battle | Turkey | Defeat
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| 530 AD | Iberian War | Battle of Dara | Sasanian Empire, Lakhmids | Battle | Mardin Province, Turkey | Victory
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| 19 April 531 AD | Iberian War | Battle of Callinicum | Sasanian Empire, Lakhmids | Battle | Raqqa, Syria | Defeat (Pyrrhic Sasanian Victory)
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| 13 September 533 AD | Vandalic War | Battle of Ad Decimum | Vandal Kingdom | Battle | Tunisia | Victory
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| 15 December 533 AD | Vandalic War | Battle of Tricamarum | Vandal Kingdom | Battle | Tunisia | Victory
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| Late 535 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Siege of Panormus | Ostrogothic Kingdom | Siege | Palermo, Italy | Victory
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| 536 AD | African Mutiny | Siege of Carthage | Byzantine Rebels, Vandals | Siege | Tunisia | Victory
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| 536 AD | African Mutiny | Battle of the River Bagradas | Byzantine Rebels, Vandals | Battle | Tunisia | Victory
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| October – November 536 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Siege of Naples (536) | Ostrogothic Kingdom, Citizens of Naples | Siege | Naples, Italy | Victory |
| 2 March 537 – 12 March 538 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Siege of Rome (537–538) | Ostrogothic Kingdom | Siege | Rome, Italy | Victory
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| 538 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Siege of Ariminum | Ostrogothic Kingdom | Siege | Rimini, Italy | Victory
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| 538 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Siege of Urbinus | Ostrogothic Kingdom | Siege | Urbino, Italy | Victory
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| 538 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Siege of Urviventus | Ostrogothic Kingdom | Siege | Orvieto, Italy | Victory
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| 539 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Siege of Auximus | Ostrogothic Kingdom | Siege | Osimo, Italy | Victory
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| 539–540 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Siege of Ravenna (539–540) | Ostrogothic Kingdom | Siege | Ravenna, Italy | Victory
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| 541 AD | Lazic War | Battle of Nisibis (541) | Sasanian Empire | Battle | Mardin Province, Turkey | Stalemate
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| 541 AD | Lazic War | Siege of Sisauranon | Sasanian Empire | Siege | Turkey | Victory
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| 544 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Siege of Hydruntum | Ostrogothic Kingdom | Siege | Otranto, Italy | Victory
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| 546 AD | Gothic War (535–554) | Sack of Rome (546) | Ostrogothic Kingdom | Siege | Rome, Italy | Defeat
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| 559 AD | Byzantine-Kutrigurs War | Battle of Melantias | Kutrigurs | Battle | Istanbul, Turkey | Victory
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Timeline of Belisarius's Life
The Legend of the Blind Beggar
A famous story from the Middle Ages says that Emperor Justinian ordered Belisarius to be blinded. The story claims Belisarius became a homeless beggar near the Pincian Gate in Rome. He supposedly asked people to "give an obolus to Belisarius" (date obolum Belisario). Later, Justinian supposedly pardoned him.
Most modern historians believe this story is not true. However, Philip Stanhope, a historian from the 1800s, thought it was true. He based this on his study of old writings.
This story became very popular in art after Jean-François Marmontel's novel Bélisaire (1767). Painters and sculptors in the 1700s liked the story. They saw it as a way to show how rulers could be unfair.
Artists showed Belisarius as a kind of hero who suffered like the poor. For example, the sculpture of Belisarius by Jean-Baptiste Stouf shows him as a blind beggar. The most famous painting is by Jacques-Louis David. It shows themes of kindness, unfairness, and a soldier recognizing his old commander. Other artworks show him being helped by poor people after powerful people rejected him.
Belisarius in Art and Stories
Belisarius has appeared in many works of art and literature. His secretary, Procopius, wrote a historical book about him. Procopius also wrote a secret book called Anecdota or Secret History. This book attacked Belisarius, his wife Antonina, and Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora. It said Belisarius was foolish and his wife was unfaithful.
Sculptures
- Bust of Belisarius by Jean-Baptiste Stouf. This sculpture shows the general as a blind beggar, looking like a wise person or a saint.
Paintings
- Belisarius: (late 1650s) by Salvator Rosa. This painting is now at Renishaw Hall.
Plays
- Belasarius: a play by Jakob Bidermann (1607).
- The life and history of Belisarius...: a drama by John Oldmixon (1713).
- Belisarius: a drama by William Philips (1724).
Books
- El ejemplo mayor de la desdicha: a play by Antonio Mira de Amescua (1625).
- Bélisaire: a novel by Jean-François Marmontel (1767).
- Belisarius: A Tragedy: by Margaretta Faugères (1795). This book was meant to be read, not performed.
- Beliar: an 18th-century poem by Friedrich de la Motte Fouque.
- A Struggle for Rome: a historical novel by Felix Dahn (1867).
- Belisarius, a 19th-century poem by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.
- Count Belisarius: a novel by Robert Graves (1938). It tells Belisarius's story from the view of his wife's servant. It shows his military feats and the interesting people of his time.
- Lest Darkness Fall: a 1939 alternative history novel by L. Sprague de Camp. Belisarius appears as a general in an army led by a time traveler.
- The Belisarius series: six science fiction/alternative history books by Eric Flint and David Drake (1998–2006).
- The character "Bel Riose" in Foundation and Empire by Isaac Asimov is based on Belisarius (1952).
- A Flame in Byzantium: a historical horror fiction novel by Chelsea Quinn Yarbro (1987).
- The Last Dying Light (2020) by William Havelock. This is the first book in The Last of the Romans series. It tells Belisarius's early life and wars.
- Belisarius: Military Master of the West: Book One: Nika: historical novel by Peter Keating Vanguard Press (2021). It tells Belisarius's life from his own point of view.
Operas
- Belisario: an opera by Gaetano Donizetti (1836).
Music
- Let There Be Nothing: a 2020 album by the Power Metal band Judicator. It follows Belisarius's life story.
Films
- Belisarius was played by Lang Jeffries in the 1968 German movie Kampf um Rom.
Games
- The character Archmagos Belisarius Cawl in Warhammer 40,000 is named after and inspired by Belisarius.
- Belisarius is the main character in the Last Roman campaign DLC for Total War: Attila. Players can choose to declare independence and make him emperor.
- His name and "ancient palace" ruins are part of a level in Indiana Jones and the Emperor's Tomb.
- Belisarius is a playable character in the Mobile/PC Game Rise of Kingdoms.
- Belisarius is a general in the game European War 7: Medieval. He leads the "Byzantine Expedition" in the "Rise of Byzantium" Conquest.
See also
- Tribonian
- Uraias
