| “ | For not by numbers of men, not by measure of body, but by valor of soul is war to be decided.
— Flavius Belisarius
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” |
Flavius Belisarius was a general of the Byzantine Empire under Emperor Justinian I. He is famous for being the general that led Justinian's army in his project of recapturing the territories of the Western Roman Empire, which had been lost to the Goths and the Vandals. He is one of the most common recipients of the title "Last of the Romans".
Belisarius was born in a small town in what is Bulgaria in modern day. He joined the Byzantine army at a young age, and quickly rose through the ranks, eventually becoming a bodyguard of Emperor Justin I. He requested that the emperor allow him to form an experimental unit of heavy cavalry for the bodyguard, which proved to be very successful, further boosting his reputation.
Following Justin's death and Justinian's ascension as emperor, Belisarius was given command of an army and sent to fight against the Persian Sassanid Empire. His efforts resulted in a Persian defeat and long-lasting peace. Belisarius also helped to suppress the Nika riots, which nearly overthrew the emperor himself. His success with handling these events served to make Belisarius one of the most powerful men in Constantinople.
Greatly impressed with Belisarius's military prowess, Justinian granted Belisarius command of a large army and sent him to begin his plan to rebuild the fractured Roman Empire. Belisarius first battled with the Vandals in North Africa, and then the Goths in Italy, recovering much of the lost Roman territory. He next was called to depose the Pope in Rome, who had been installed by the Goths. However, frustrated by Justinian's lack of logistical support, and regretting his role in the Pope's deposition, he retired to a life of repentance.
Belisarius was called out of retirement by Justinian when a Bulgar army invaded Byzantine lands. Belisarius put a quick end to the invasion, but Justinian had come to fear Belisarius, and he charged him of corruption and stripped him of his power and titles. Justinian decided to pardon him, but his career was already over. He died in Constantinople three years later.
Battle vs. Tyler Durden (by WanderingSkull)[]
TBW
Expert's Opinion[]
TBW
To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.Battles here were deemed to be unfair or otherwise not in accordance with wiki standards, and have been removed from the statuses of the warriors and displayed below.
Battle vs. Boudica (by MilenHD)[]
Belisarius: 
Boudica: 
After the successful conquest of the Byzantine Empire over the kingdom of the Vandals and Visigoths, Justinian decided that Britain is next in line. As few days passed, he send his greatest general and warrior Flavius Belisarius to scout the area and know the locals a bit more, as Belisarius and his 4 Byzantine foot soldiers hiked the area for a little bit longer and they have found the plains of the Iceni tribe. In the nearby bushes Boudica was with 4 Celtic warriors were hunting, until they noticed the Byzantines.
Boudica raised her javelin and threw it at the Byzantines, missing them. Belisarius told his troops to ready their bows and as the Celts, emerged from the bushes with shields and javelins in hands, they charged at the Byzantines giving war cries at them. The Byzantines fired in straight line their bows, piercing the throat of one of the Celts. Boudica and her Celtic warriors were still charging and they threw their javelins and one of them pierced the abdomen of the one of the Byzantines, killing him at the moment.
The Celts and The Byzantines clashed with their shields and spears, but since the Byzantine's kontos spear is long that put them into a big disadvantage against the Boudica and he Celts. As Belisarius realised their enemies are more mobile with their lighter spears he told his troops to hold together with their shields and kontos spears. As the Celts were charging with their lanceas, one of them got pierced by the kontos spear. The Iceni queen raised her shield and her Celts surrounded the Byzantines in circle and both groups started fighting against each other and one of the Celts managed to avoid a thrust from the kontos and pierced the Byzantine soldier.
As they were 3 on 3 the Boudica and her Celts started being aggressive at Belisarius, at that time the Byzantines had swap their kontos spears for their spathas. As one of the Celts thrust his lancea at Belisarius, he got his lancea slice in half and moments after his throat sliced too. As the others were fighting the battle soon became 2 on 2 as Boudica sliced with full strength decapitating the Byzantine soldier's head with her longsword.
As the other Byzantine soldier tried to stab her from behind, in her left hand Boudica was holding her iron dagger and as she turned, she parried the spatha with her longsword and stab the Byzantine soldier in the eyes. As Belisarius swung his spatha, ending the life of the last male Celtic warrior.
As Boudica was holding her dagger in left hand and longsword in right, she charged at Belisarius, who with his last stand was holding his spatha and shield, as both warriors clashed, Boudica caught Belisarius by surprise and with her longsword knocked his spatha away, and as she was preparing to stabb him with her dagger Belisarius smashed his shield into her face and pierced her neck with his Byzantine ceremonial dagger.
As the Celtic queen and her warriors were dead, Belisarius raised his shield and gave a mighty war cry.
Expert's Opinion[]
Boudica's close range oriented fighting style and her lack of armor were her downsides. Yeah she managed to gave Rome a run for their money, but didn't won after all against Rome. Belisarius tactics, balanced fighting style and stronger armor gave him the key to victory. Also he had fought barbarians before.
To see the original battle, weapons, and votes, click here.