Hughes Ian. Belisarius: The Last Roman General

Pen and Sword, 2009. — 288 p. — ISBN10: 1473822971, ISBN13: 978-1473822979.A military history of the campaigns of Belisarius, the greatest general of the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) Emperor Justinian. He twice defeated the Persians and reconquered North Africa from the Vandals in a single year at the age of 29, before going on to regain Spain and Italy, including Rome (briefly), from the barbarians. It discusses the evolution from classical Roman to Byzantine armies and systems of warfare, as well as those of their chief enemies, the Persians, Goths and Vandals. It reassesses Belisarius’ generalship and compares him with the likes of Caesar, Alexander and Hannibal. It will be illustrated with line drawings and battle plans as well as photographs.Acknowledgements.
List of Illustrations.
List of Maps.Historical Background.
The Byzantine Court and the Early Life of Belisarius.
The New Roman Army.
The Persian War.
The Nika Riots and Marriage.
The Invasion of Africa.
The Vandalic War.
The Invasion of Sicily and Southern Italy.
The Siege of Rome.
The Victory of Belisarius.
The Return to the East.
Italy again.
Twilight.
Conclusions.
Appendix I: Chronology.
Appendix II: Personalities.
Select Bibliography.
Index.