#CRITICAL RACE THEORY EMPRESS OF CONSTANTINOPLE A Novel PART SIX

#CRITICAL RACE THEORY PRESENTS

EMPRESS OF CONSTANTINOPLE A Novel

PART SIX

EMPRESS OF CONSTANTINOPLE

A Novel

 By

Eugene Stovall

#HISTORICAL FICTION #WOMENS STUDIES #BLACK STUDIES #VATICAN #ARIANISM #GOTH #VANDAL #THEODORA #JUSTINIAN #HERESY #COPTIC CHRISTIANS #CHRISTIAN FICTION

EPISODE TWELVE

After his triumph over the Persians at Dara and with all Constantinople proclaiming him, a hero, Justinian decides to rely on Belisarius, his most successful and popular general, to rescue King Hilderic. In a palace ceremony, attended by the high council and members of the senate, Justinian appoints Belisarius, General of the Army, with the full authority to act in the emperor’s name. Others in attendance not only include Theodora, but even Antonina, who the empress arranged for Constantinople’s beloved general to marry. Many in attendance wonder why the emperor demoted his cousin, Germanus, from his position as Constantinople’s top military commander. Few realize the emperor and his general have known each other since childhood.

Belisarius was born in Germania, near Illyricum, Justinian’s birthplace and speaks the same Teutonic dialect as his emperor. In Germania, Justinian he and Belisarius hunted together and  conversed in their native tongue ___ enabling them to understand each other’s mind and ambitions. As the Goths and Huns begin to dominate the Byzantine military, Belisarius concurred with his friend’s scheme to use the Arian heresy to unify  the Byzantine military in a unique Catholic belief system even before Justinian assumed the throne. Belisarius worked with Justinian to fulfill his dream of a unified bureaucracy, army and the empire. During the Nika riots, Belisarius cements his bond with Justinian. So despite his high council’s misgivings, his unpopularity with the masses and the army’s declining morale, Justinian, overlooks the obstacles and difficulties involved in invading the Vandal kingdom and, with the urging of Theodora, decides to rescue Hilderic.

“Majesty, may I speak with you?” Cappadocian John asks. “My high council sent you?” Justinian asks. “They have, Your Majesty.” “They want you to take the blame for anything you say that displeases me,” Justinian laughs. “... or if it displeases the Empress Theodora, ” John remarks. Justinian allows John’s impertinence to pass without comment. The stakes are too high to get  involved in petty conflicts right now, Justinian tells himself,  but one day John must suffer for his many insults to my wife. “Your majesty,” John continues, “even if Belisarius succeeds in defeating Gelimer, you cannot hold North Africa with Rome controlling Sicily, Italy and the Mediterranean.” “I do not intend to hold North Africa,” Justinian dissembles. “I intend to restore Hilderic to his throne.” “If Belisarius fails,” John continues, “your entire realm will be vulnerable to attack. The Persians will certainly attack if they believe you occupied with Rome.” “The emperor will consider your advice,” Theodora says emerging from an unseen alcove in Justinian’s council room. “Majesty,” John bows to the empress. “I did not realize you were present.” “I gathered not,” Theodora sniffs. “Has the emperor considered,” John says, continuing his appeal to Justinian, “that when the Byzantine army lands in North Africa, your majesty will be unable to restore Hilderic to the throne?” “Why not?” Justinian asks. “Gelimer will certainly behead or impale him and his entire family,” John states. “And with Hilderic’s death and Gelimer’s defeat, the Hasding dynasty as well as the Vandal kingdom will come to an end.” “That will be the price the Vandals must pay for overthrowing their liege lord,” Theodora observes. “It is doubtful that even Your Highness would ever enjoy the fruits of such a victory,” Cappadocian John persists. “Why not?” Theodora asks. “The cost of this venture as well as any defeat during the campaign might be enough to topple His Highness from his throne.” “I hope that is not a threat,” Theodora cautions. “I will consider the council’s concerns,” Justinian says cutting off the exchange before it flares out of control and dismissing Cappadocian John with a wave of his hand. “I detest that man,” Theodora says after John’s departure. “Don’t worry dear,” Justinian says giving Theodora a kiss on the cheek, “despite the High Council’s interference, I intend to become master of North Africa.”

On the harbor outside Constantinople’s Lighthouse District, the docks  bustle with activity. Archelaus Justinian’s military prefect and principal administrator,  and Procopius, Belisarius’ secretary and procurement officer, are loading and launching Justinian’s fleet of five hundred transport vessels and ninety-two warships against the usurper of Hilderic’s kingdom. Justinian’s fleet loads seventeen thousand soldiers, cavalry infantry and combat engineers.  In additional Belisarius’ fleet is crewed by thirty thousand sailors and two thousand marines,  commanded by Calonymus, who reports to Belisarius.

Cappadocian John, with the help of his omnipresent aide, the Green Party Dancing Master, directs the battalion of dock workers required to load the stacks of supplies and livestock from the docks onto the ships. 

“Has all has been prepared according to my instructions?” John asks Dancing Master, as together they watch another squadron of transport, supply and war ships, slip out of the harbor and head for their rendezvous with the main fleet outside the Golden Horn,  “Yes. Excellency, the special supply of bread and water you ordered has been distributed throughout the fleet.” “Good,” Cappadocian John gloats. “I look forward to the fleet’s quick return back to Constantinople.” Cappadocian John is under strict orders from the Pythian Brotherhood to ensure Justinian’s North African invasion and the overthrow of Gelimer’s Vandal kingdom fails. “And when the fleet returns we shall have our loot,” the Green Party Dancing Master smiles gleefully anticipating the biggest haul he has seen since before the Nika riots.

Belisarius also watches squadrons of his warships as they depart the Lighthouse District harbor. From time to time, he questions Archelaus, Procopius or even Calonymus about a vessel or its cargo. Overall, however, Belisarius is pleased with the orderly departure of his fleet, with its cargo and passengers ___ with the exception of one. “My dear, a battlefield is no place for a woman,” Belisarius pleads with Antonina. “I will have more than enough on my mind than to worry about your safety.” “Do not worry, my darling husband,” Antonina assures him. “I will be quite safe.” “Believe me, mistress, there is nothing in North Africa except snakes, scorpions and Negroes,” Eugenius tells his mistress. But the Greek slave is no more successful in changing Antonina’s mind than her husband, because she has been ordered to accompany the mission by Theodora. “Accompany your husband to Carthage,” Theodora instructs Antonina. “He will need your help.” “Why so, my dear?” “I do not trust Cappadocian John and neither should you.” “Whatever you say, my dear,” Antonina responds. “But why would Cappadocian John do anything to hurt my husband ___ or disrupt the emperor’s plans?” “Dear Antonina, that snake from Anatolia caused the Nika riots,” Theodora says. “He nearly cost Justinian his throne ___ and both of us our lives.”

“Mistress, if we must go to Africa, allow me to take water,” Eugenius recommends. “My husband and his prefects will see our provisions,” Antonina snorts. “I need you to attend to loading my personal belongings.” “Believe me, mistress,” Eugenius pleads, “in Africa, water is more precious than gold.” “Oh well!” Antonina waves to her slave. “Do as you please, but take care of my wardrobe.” “What is all this extra baggage?” the captain of Belisarius’ ship bellows to Calonymus. Cappadocian John’s dock workers grumble to him about storing the extra crates containing Antonina’s wardrobe and the extra water aboard Belisarius’ command ship. “There is no space for all this baggage,” they complain. “These crates belong to Her Ladyship, Countess Antonina, His Excellency, Count Belisarius’ wife,” Calonymus replies. His Excellency knows we need all our available space, the captain mutters to himself, though daring not to express his feelings, openly. Days earlier, two drunken Huns killed a Byzantine soldier. Belisarius had the Huns, still in a drunken stupor and bloody from their deed, beheaded in front of their comrades. “Anyone violating my orders forbidding drunkenness, will be executed,” the commander in chief reminds his officers.

The captain decides not to challenge Belisarius or his wife. The score of crates, identified as belonging to Antonina, are loaded onto Belisarius’ command ship without further delay. Some are so heavy that it takes four workers to wrestle them aboard. In the ship’s hold, Eugenius removes water jugs from his mistress’ crates and has them deposited in a secret compartment below the cargo hold and packs them in sand. When all the water is packed and sealed, the compartment, marked, Count Belisarius, General of the Emperor’s Army, is sealed.

After the entire fleet is underway, countervailing winds push it away from its destination, making it difficult to keep the fleet together and  slowing its journey to North Africa by a week. Calonymus requires all his skill and experience to keep the fleet organized and sailing close together, even at night. Then catastrophe strikes. “Sir,” Calonymus reports to Belisarius, “every squadron reports men dying at an alarming rate.” “What is causing the deaths, admiral?” “Archelaus says poisoned bread is causing some of the deaths,” Calonymus replies. “And poisoned water is killing others.” “Do we know the state of our other supplies?” “No sir,” Calonymus says. “but I suggest we return to Constantinople before we suffer more deaths.” “Have your men check our supplies and have Archelaus report back to me, immediately.”

“Excellency, I have Calonymus’ report.” “How bad is it?” Belisarius asks. “As bad as it could be, Excellency,” Archelaus replies. “Your infantry commander, Dorotheus, is among the casualties. Calonymus wants to return to Constantinople.” “Can we put into some nearby port and take on fresh water?” Belisarius asks. “We might make it to a port and acquire fresh water,” Calonymus agrees, entering Belisarius’ quarters, “but we have barely enough food to return, home.” “How much food has been poisoned?” “I cannot say for certain, Excellency,” Calonymus answers. “The deaths have demoralized your troops as well as their officers,” Archelaus comments. “No one wants to eat any of the bread.” “Should I order the fleet to reassemble and prepare to return to Constantinople?” Calonymus asks. Belisarius notes an ill-disguised smirk on the admiral’s face. Having learned of the crisis, the general’s staff other staff aides,  

Though Procopius and Constantinius, also staff officers, make no recommendations, Belisarius senses they, too, favor returning to Constantinople. But Antonina is against retreating. “You cannot return to Constantinople without accomplishing your task,” Antonina reminds him, “unless you want to end your career in disgrace.” “What would you have me do? Belisarius murmurs. “If I land in the North African with sick and dying men, Gelimer will have no difficulty annihilating my army and my return will be even more ignominious.” “You cannot return to Constantinople.” “Where is the nearest port,” Belisarius asks, “where we can obtain fresh water and food?”. “North Africa, Excellency, ” Archelaus replies, “There you see,” Belisarius tells Antonina. “And if we land there,” Calonymus smirks, “our necessities will force you to attack the indigenous people before we ever see a Vandal.” “We might as well return home,” Belisarius concludes. “Mi’Lord, may I offer a suggestion?” Antonina asks. “Have I not given you the freedom to express your opinion, mi’Lady?” “Eugenius has stored fresh water and perhaps some extra food with my baggage. Perhaps the additional supply will help us to Sicily, where Theodora’s friend, Queen Amalasuntha, will welcome us.” “Queen Amalasuntha!” Procopius gulps. “Sir you cannot consider contacting, Queen Amalasuntha.” Justinian’s plans for reconstituting a new Roman Empire were not only disrupted by Gelimer. When Theodoric, with whom Justinian planned to enter into an alliance, dies unexpectedly from dysentery, his ten-year old grandson, Athaleric, succeeds him and Amalasuntha, Theodoric’s daughter, becomes his regent, ruling over the Ostrogoths and Visigoths as the, queen of Italy and the de facto empress of the Western Roman Empire. Before he died, Theodoric planned to invade the Vandal Kingdom and punish Hilderic for murdering his sister, Amalafrida. Queen Amalasuntha was believed to be no less enraged with Hilderic for the murder of her aunt.

“You cannot expect Queen Amalasuntha to assist us out of this  predicament,” Procopius protests. “if you upset the emperor’s relationship with Rome, prematurely, Excellency, things could get out of control. ” “When Hilderic became king,”  Archelaus says, re-enforcing Procopius’ opinion, “he murdered Amalafrida, who was Theodoric’s sister and Queen Amalasuntha’s aunt! You cannot believe your reception in Sicily will be anything less than hostile. ”  “Before he died Theodoric planned to invade and oust King Hilderic,” Constantinius says, breaking his silence. “Queen Amalasuntha hates her aunt’s murderer as much as Theodoric did.” “I agree,” Archelaus says, “Queen Amalasuntha will not help us rescue Hilderic.” “Nevertheless,” Antonina speaks out, “Queen Amalasuntha has offered her friendship to the Empress Theodora.” Belisarius’ wife turns her back on the others and whispers softly to Belisarius. “Dear husband, Amalasuntha has two concerns.” “What are they, my dear wife?” “The queen wants to accommodate the Roman senate and protect her son.” “You know these are Queen Amalasuntha’s concerns?” “Empress Theodora learned the Goth chieftains are plotting to kill her son, overthrow the Roman Senate and establish an independent Gothic kingdom,” Antonina explains. “The Gothic chieftains only feared Emperor Justinian.” Belisarius takes a while to consider his choices. Then he smiles at Antonina.   “We’re not returning to Constantinople,” Belisarius informs Calonymus “Make sail for Sicily.”

****

By the time Belisarius reaches Sicily, most of his officers and men are affected by the contaminated water and poisoned bread. Five hundred have died. Once his fleet reaches Sicily’s harbor of Messina, Belisarius dispatches Constantinius to Ostia and from there to Rome. “Deliver my message only to Queen Amalasuntha,” Belisarius instructs his aide. “Send me, as well, my husband,” Antonina says. “Amalasuntha will certainly assist you when she realizes that Empress Theodora sent you.” “How the world has changed when the outcome of a great military undertaking depends upon the goodwill of women,” Calonymus sneers to Archelaus out of Belisarius’ hearing. 

When Antonina and Constantinius return to the port of Messina, they are accompanied by Queen Amalasuntha’s ambassador and a Rome reception party. “Welcome Count Belisarius!” Queen Amalasuntha’s ambassador bows. “I have been instructed to see to your needs.” “Thank you, Your Excellency,” Belisarius replies. “These are my aides, Archelaus and Calonymus. They will work with you and your people.” “Fine!” the ambassador beams. “In the meantime, the queen desires that you and Countess Antonina enjoy the hospitality of the royal palace at Syracuse where you may prepare for your fleet for the journey to North Africa.”  

EPISODE THIRTEEN

The Byzantine fleet, stretched out in Syracuse’s harbor as far as the eye can see, amazes Raüs who meets with Count Belisarius and his general staff in Queen Amalasuntha’s royal palace. “Certainly, Gelimer will sue for mercy, when he beholds the might of Constantinople anchored in the harbor of Carthage,” Raüs exclaims to Belisarius. “I thank the prince for his kind words and congratulate you on having prepared the path for the emperor’s imperial forces into Carthage, so well,” Belisarius responds. “And Queen Theodora sends her warmest greetings to your lovely wife,” Antonina adds. “I hope we will have the pleasure of her company soon.” “We look forward to that happy reunion, gracious lady,” Raüs replies. “However,” Belisarius observes, “all your plans for successfully rescuing your father will be for naught, my prince, if the Vandal fleet attacks me while I am defenseless here in Sicily.” Belisarius glances first at Archelaus, then at Calonymus, before continuing. “Since I do not have enough warships to protect my transport and cargo ships, I must know, where the Vandal fleet lies and the strength of its warships.” “Your excellency need not worry about the Vandal fleet,” Raüs counters. He knows that even not many of Ingvar’s cargo and fighting ships are transporting North African wealth to Sverige. “Right now, Gelimer’s only interest in ships is to transport and guard the Vandal kingdom’s treasury.” “If that is so,” Belisarius sighs, “thank our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.” “Mi’Lord,” Calonymus says, “I must share this good news with my captains ____ that is if it is good news and not a trick.” “You are excused, Lord Calonymus,” Belisarius says, happy to be rid of his naval commander, whom he has come to dislike. Once Calonymus departs Belisarius turns to Raüs “What else have you accomplished?” “In Tripoli, the Circumcellions are defeating the Vandals loyal to Gelimer.” “Ah yes,” Belisarius remarks. “Archelaus sent some of our soldiers to support Pudentius before we left Constantinople.” “The Circumcellions pledge to prevent Tripoli from supporting Gelimer until your army arrives. The Berber chief, Antalas, pledges that Gelimer will receive no support from any Berber tribes east of Tripoli.” “Is that not Saffyya’s father?” Antonina asks. “Yes, Mi’Lady.” “Any other news?” Belisarius cuts. An annoyed Belisarius is not as comfortable with Antonina’s interference as Justinian is with Theodora. “I have good news from Sardinia,” Raüs continues with his report. “What is it,” Belisarius snaps, glancing at Antonina. “I’ve been told that Godas, the governor of Sardinia, notified Gelimer that he intends to help King Hilderic retrieve his throne.” Belisarius is pleased. “With opposition in the north and the east,” Belisarius muses, “our friend, Gelimer, should be very busy by the time we arrive.”

****

After setting in motion the events that will dismantle the Vandal Kingdom and speed the collapse of the Roman Empire, Gelimer sits blissfully upon his throne unaware of the Byzantine fleet preparing to descend upon him when news from Sardinia shocks the usurper from his complacency. “You two sat around doing nothing when Tripoli rebelled,” Gelimer screams at his brothers. “Now Sardinia defies me.” “Let me teach these provincial governors a lesson,” Ammatus exhorts Gelimer. “Allow me to take the army and crush those rebels in Tripoli.” “Yes, crush those rebels,” Gelimer agrees, “both in Tripoli and Sardinia.” Gelimer is enraged. “Take my army and impale that rebel in Tripoli ... what’s his name? “Pudentius.” “Impale Pudentius, his family and every one of his rebels,” Gelimer screeches. “I will go with you,” Tzazo says. “No!” Gelimer shouts. “You take five thousand men to Sardinia and bring me Godas’ head.” Pausing Gelimer ponders the implication of losing his sea lanes. “And what’s become of Ingvar Jarlabanke? I sent for him a week ago.” “I do not know, brother,” Ammatus shakes his head. “That old pirate only speaks with Raüs,” Tzazo reminds Gelimer. “Bring my cousin to me,” Gelimer roars. “Now go and put Tripoli and Sardinia to the sword. Warn every governor in my kingdom there is price for defying their king.”

 A week after Ammatus and Tzazo depart on their separate missions, Gelimer and his court enjoy a barbarous feast after the Amphitheater’s morning gladiatorial contests. “Your Lordship has acted wisely to punish those rebellious prefects,” one of the Vandal chieftains remarks. Gelimer is in no mood for flattery; he has lost a lot of gold in impetuous wagers. “Yes but was it wise for your majesty to split his forces, leaving them so far apart?” another asks..   “What do you mean?” Gelimer barks at the chieftain who dares to question his judgement. “Well, majesty, with one rebellion at the extreme eastern edge of your kingdom and another across the sea in the north, if I didn’t know that your majesty has planned for all contingencies, I would think that Constantinople is preparing to launch an invasion.”

Since seizing the throne Gelimer dwells in an extreme state of hubris, never considering even the possibility of Justinian’s retaliation. But the Vandal chieftains, who believed an attack from Constantinople was imminent, were unable to warn Gelimer of their misgivings. “As close as he is to his family,” the Vandals shake their heads, “why would the king Only Gelimer and his brothers believe that Justinian would allow his cousin to languish in a dungeon without making any attempt to rescue him?” And even as some of them speculate about such a possibility, their worst fears are realized when a messenger bursts into in the banquet hall, shouting, “The Byzantines have landed an army in Nabeul!” “What say you?” Gelimer roars out. “My king, a Byzantine army has landed at Nabeul,” the messenger repeats. “Even now they are building a fortified encampment, inland, against any attack.” “My loyal, Captains,” Gelimer shouts. “Away to your lands. Assemble your fighters and prepare to throw the invader back into the sea.” Then he turns to the messenger. “Find Prince Ammatus. Give him the news and tell him to meet me with his army at the valley of Ad Decimum.”

Gelimer glowers as he considers his situation. Despite the assurances he received from the Roman senate, he knew seizing Hilderic’s throne was a gamble. Well the die is cast and there is no turning back. “Put the heads of Hilderic and all of his family on the gates of Carthage!” Gelimer orders his guards. “That should be a fitting welcome for Justinian’s army.”

*****

After his inauspicious beginning, Belisarius is overjoyed that his North African landing in Nabeul’s small harbor had gone so smoothly. With no Vandal ships in sight, Belisarius’ transport vessels were able to land troops and supplies, steadily, ten ships at a time ___ an impossible feat had the Vandals put his fleet under attack. After his landing, Belisarius’ engineers enjoyed all the time they needed to erect fortified walls on the crest of a rocky hillock as suitable protection against any counterattack Gelimer might launch. Once his army is secure and his fleet is dispersed to its best advantage, Belisarius sends out scouts to spy on the Vandal army as he plans his march on Carthage.

“Sir, Berber tribesmen request an audience,” Constantinius announces. “Send them in.” “Mighty General,” Antalas begins in his halting Latin. “We have been told to expect Constantinople’s arm and prepare the way.” “I welcome the leader of the Berber people and thank him for his kindness to me and my soldiers,” Belisarius replies, “As you can see, we are preparing for our march on Carthage, but how can I help the leader of the Berber people?” “We welcome Constantinople because Prince Raüs assured us that your soldiers would not betray our friendship.” “Has any of my men betrayed our friendship?” Belisarius asks. “Even as we speak Byzantine soldiers are looting our farms and molesting our women.” “Constantinius,” Belisarius shouts. “General.” Turning to Antalas, Belisarius says, “Lead my aid to those who have betrayed you and me.”

Constantinius brings the looters back to the Byzantine camp, bound to wooden poles. Belisarius assembles his officers. “I ordered you not to allow your men to commit outrages against the local population,”  Belisarius bellows, “else this expedition would end in defeat.” The general’s eyes blaze with anger. “Today these men here who have violated my orders will be impaled. The next time it happens, I will impale the offenders as well as their officers.” Belisarius then orders all the offenders, mounted on sharpened poles. They die in the worse manner possible.

*****

Gelimer gathers his chieftains and unfolds his battle plan. “It is fortunate that Ammatus left for Tripoli,” Gelimer tells the gathering. “Now the Byzantines will face us in front of them and Ammatus in their rear.” “What is your plan, Noble Lord?” one captain asks. “The Byzantines wil1 certainly march west to attack Carthage,” Gelimer predicts. “They will take the coast road which is the only one wide enough for their army.”   “But Tzazo has taken five thousand of our best fighters to Sardinia,” another chieftain points out. “Your army is too weak to withstand a siege of Carthage.” “True enough,” Gelimer concedes. “But before the Byzantine arrives at Carthage, the coastal road narrows and plunges down into the Ad Decimum valley.” Gelimer gives the Vandal lords a malicious smile. “As the coastal road goes down into the valley, it narrows with a sheer face on one side and a precipitous drop on the other. When the road narrows and descends into the valley, no more than three men can march abreast before the road reaches the valley. Here is where I will ambush the Byzantines and annihilate them.” “Ah!” the Vandal chieftains murmur appreciatively. “By the time the Byzantines begin to descend into the Ad Decimum valley using the narrow road,” Gelimer continues. “Ammatus will have caught up with the Byzantines and from their rear, will block any avenue of escape.” “And because they will be strung out along the road,” a Vandal captain, who perceives Gelimer’s strategy, “the Byzantines will be unable to assemble any battle formation or use their cavalry. We will cut them down before they realize what has happened.” “Before the Byzantines can assemble any formation, whatsoever, they must reach the valley’s broad floor,” Gelimer smiles. “And while Ammatus cuts them down from the rear, I will lead my cavalry and all the men you nobles can assemble from the valley entrance at the opposite side. While the Byzantines attempt to assemble their battle formations, we will cut them to pieces from the rear.” At this point, the Vandal chieftains begin to cheer Gelimer in unison. “Your plan is sound, mi’Lord and should work,” one of the Vandals shouts. “Hail, King Gelimer!”  “Hail, King Gelimer!” others take up the chant. “Hail, King Gelimer!” “Assemble your men and meet me at the western Ad Decimum valley entrance,” Gelimer shouts. “After I annihilate his army, Justinian will weep bitter tears for having listened to his woman.”

Belisarius uses his spies and local Berbers to gather information about the location and disposition of the Vandal army ____  taking every opportunity to show that his intentions towards the local population are peaceful. In addition, he orders the release of Vandal prisoners so they will spread the news that the Byzantines are in Africa to restore Hilderic to his throne.

“Excellency,” Procopius bursts into Belisarius’ tent. Belisarius looks up from his table littered with scrolls and maps. “You have news, Secretary?” informs the general,  “Gelimer has executed Hilderic and his family.” “No matter,” Belisarius replies. “The emperor sent me to restore Hilderic, or his heirs, to the Vandal Kingdom’s throne.”

****

As Gelimer predicts, Belisarius’ army approaches Carthage over the coastal road which is a mile-wide when he passes through Nabeul. Though Belisarius’ maps note the road’s descent into the Ad Decimum valley, they failed to note how dramatically the road narrows from a mile to only a few yards. Before Belisarius’s officers, leading the march realize it, their soldiers, who began marching ten abreast, are squeezed into a line of march with only two abreast. Not only has the road narrowed, but it begins a sharp  descent down to the valley floor below. In the meantime, Ammatus has rushed his sixteen thousand infantry to intercept the Byzantine army, now strung out on the coastal road with a sheer rock wall on one side and a precipitous drop on the other. As Belisarius’ entire army has begun its descent, Ammatus hurls his infantry at the Byzantine rear. With only two or three Byzantine soldiers able to turn about to face the Vandal’s furious attack, Belisarius’ suffer mounting casualties. Like putting a cork in a bottle, Ammatus seals off Belisarius’ army from any ability to maneuver or retreat. The only direction the Byzantines can move is forward. As the rear surges forward, each rank crushing into the one ahead, the Byzantine’s orderly march degenerates into chaos and panic. As Ammatus continues his savage attack on the Byzantine rear, forward elements of the Byzantine army reach the valley floor and Belisarius’ officers regain control over their terrified troops. As the forward units reach the valley floor which widens into a flat plain, the Byzantine officers   dispel the soldiers panic and reorganize them into battlefield formations. Fortunately for the Byzantines, though the slaughter in the Byzantine rear is horrendous, Ammatus’ infantry cannot fully impose itself on the Byzantine army. If the narrow road prevents the Byzantines from repelling the Vandals, the road prevents the Vandal infantry from taking full advantage of their position. Meanwhile, in the Ad Decimum valley, their discipline and experience take over and the Byzantine defensive formations begin to withstand the Vandal attack on the valley floor, until Belisarius’ entire army has been transformed back into a disciplined fighting force, once again. And, when Ammatus’ troops pour into the valley, instead of hammering at a chaotic, disorganized rabble under attack from the front and rear, the Vandals find themselves in desperate struggle with the Byzantines since neither Gelimer’s cavalry nor his infantry have arrived to attack the Byzantines from the other side of the valley leaving Ammatus to face the full weight of the Byzantine army, alone.

Belisarius’ officers assess the situation and envelope Ammatus’ Vandals, as they descend the narrow road and rush onto the flat valley floor.  Soon the Vandals face disciplined Byzantine troops on three sides. The Byzantines’ massive military formation fights off Ammatus’ undisciplined and undermanned attack. With the fighting experience and military leadership of the Byzantine army taking affect, it’s superior  numbers to overwhelm and rout the Vandal infantry. And even before Ammatus realizes that Gelimer’s cavalry has yet to arrive, the Byzantines slaughters his personal guard and hacks Gelimer’s brother to pieces.

But even as Belisarius’ infantry begins annihilating Ammatus’ infantry, Gelimer’s cavalry finally arrives. Falling upon the Byzantine vanguard, now Belisarius’ rear. Gelimer’s cavalry inflicts heavy casualties upon the Byzantine troops. Had the Vandal cavalry arrived earlier, when Ammatus was launching his attack and when the Byzantines were still a chaotic, frightened mob, Gelimer would have annihilated Belisarius’ army and won the battle. As it was, though the Byzantine troops in the rear flee from the Vandal cavalry, Ammatus’ infantry, weakened by the Byzantine counterattack, is already racing back up the narrow road to the coast with the Byzantine infantry in hot pursuit . Nevertheless, from the rear, the Vandal cavalry, able to use the broad plain to maneuver about, attack stationary clusters of Byzantine soldiers, seizes control the battlefield. By pressing his attack, Gelimer should have won the day. However, when the usurper come upon the slaughtered body Ammatus, Gelimer pauses his attack. Overwhelmed with grief, and determined to protect his brother’s body from Arian barbarities, Gelimer orders that Ammatus be given a burial ceremony. The delay gives Belisarius’ officers enough time to rally their fleeing troops and reform an offensive formation. Then turning around, the Byzantines mount a furious counter-attack on Gelimer’s cavalry from all sides. Though the fighting is furious with the Vandals fighting like demons, once again, Belisarius’ superior numbers, overpower Gelimer’s soldiers. Weary from their mad dash to the battlefield and the exertions of several hours of savage hand to hand combat, Gelimer’s forces completely outnumbered, are forced to withdraw back through the Ad Decimum valley’s western entrance.

Receiving news of the victory at his encampment in Nabeul, Belisarius orders his wounded to be tended and his dead buried. Then Justinian’s victorious general marches his army into Carthage.

To Be Continued ...

Copyright © Eugene Stovall (2024)

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