Abstract
Narses’ Italian campaign was the last stage of the war between the Eastern Roman Empire and the Ostrogothic Kingdom. In 551, following over a decade of fighting with no resolution, Justinian the Great appointed the eunuch Narses commander of his forces. In early 552, Narses led the army along the Adriatic coast, reaching Ravenna and then moving towards Rome. At Taginae, he was stopped by an army of Goths led by king Totila. Narses’ victory was decisive, with the Gothic army destroyed, and Totila killed in battle. Narses was able to occupy Rome, and then moved south, defeating the remnants of Gothic forces at Mons Lactarius. It appeared that Italy would be regained soon, but a powerful Frankish army arrived from the north. After a year’s struggle, Narses was able to defeat Franks in the battle of the Volturno, allowing him to continue the conquest of Italy. Military activity ended in 561, when the last Gothic towns of Verona and Brescia surrendered.
Highlights
In early 552, Narses led the army along the Adriatic coast, reaching Ravenna and moving towards Rome
At Taginae, he was stopped by an army of Goths led by king Totila
Narses’ victory was decisive, with the Gothic army destroyed, and Totila killed in battle
Summary
Totili udało się wprawdzie zaatakować oraz złupić Sardynię i Korsykę, jednak nie zmieniło to zbytnio jego pozycji[26]. Totila zawarł nowy sojusz obronny z Teudebertem, na mocy którego Frankowie mieli zabezpieczać tereny w północnej Italii, dzięki czemu gocki król nie musiał się obawiać ataku z tej strony. Prokopiusz nie podaje, jak liczne były rzymskie oddziały, ale prawdopodobnie ich wielkość wahała się między 10 a 15 tys.[41] Natomiast liczebność całej armii wynosiła od 20 do 30 tys.
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