war war greek conflict fought north_africa largely modern tunisia forces eastern roman byzantine empire wars lost western roman empire occupied early 5th century established independent kingdom king formidable navy carried pirate attacks mediterranean sacked rome defeated massive roman invasion death relations surviving normalized tensions occasionally militant adherence persecution native population palace coup pro roman replaced cousin eastern roman emperor took pretext interfere affairs secured eastern frontier began preparing expedition general secretary wrote main historical narrative war took advantage instigated rebellions remote provinces distracted emperor preparations weakened defences dispatch bulk navy large portion army brother roman expeditionary force set sail constantinople late june sea voyage coasts greece southern italy landed african coast early september complete surprise king gathered forces met roman army battle near september elaborate plan destroy roman army came close success able drive army flight occupy withdrew gathered remaining strength including army returned december advanced met romans battle battle resulted roman victory death fled remote mountain fortress blockaded surrendered spring returned constantinople royal treasure captive enjoy triumph africa formally restored imperial rule africa imperial control scarcely reached old kingdom tribes interior proved unwilling accept imperial rule soon rose rebellion new province shaken wars military rebellions peace restored roman government firmly established background establishment kingdom course gradual decline dissolution early 5th century tribe allied established peninsula roman governor diocese africa rebelled west roman emperor facing invasion imperial troops called king aid crossed straits gibraltar entire people reportedly total plans aimed conquer african provinces outright possession recognized western roman court temporary warfare soon october capital africa fell treaty exchanged provinces hitherto held core african diocese rich provinces received longer empire possessions events marked foundation capital settled gained control lucrative african grain trade italy launched raids coasts mediterranean ranged far culminated sack rome allegedly lasted weeks taking advantage chaos followed death regained control albeit provinces fleet took sicily barely escaped fate presence period survived roman attempts eastern roman general led unsuccessful expedition expedition assembled western emperor coast spain scattered captured set sail finally defeated huge joint expedition western eastern aftermath disaster following raids shores greece eastern emperor concluded perpetual peace roman relations state unique respects kingdoms succeeded instead continuing established roman socio political order completely replaced kings western_europe continued pay emperors portraits kings portrayed fully independent rulers consciously differentiated native african population continued use native language peculiar dress served emphasize distinct social position elite kingdom addition like adherents persecuted majority local population especially reigns emperors constantinople protested peace held years relations friendly especially emperor largely ceased son ascended throne descendant aligned kingdom brought closer according account person ceased persecution exchanged gifts rise throne replaced image coins emperor evidently hoped lead peaceful state empire pro roman policies coupled defeat suffered led opposition nobility resulted overthrow imprisonment cousin seized opportunity demanding restoration refusing demanded release constantinople threatening war unwilling surrender rival use stir trouble kingdom probably expected war come way according consequently refused demand grounds internal matter pretext peace restored eastern frontier started assembling invasion force according war news decision war caused great capital minds disaster fresh financial officials resented expenditure involved military weary persian war feared sea power emperor scheme received support church reinforced arrival victims renewed africa powerful minister john openly voice opposition expedition disregarded pressed preparations diplomatic preparations revolts soon seizure power domestic position began deteriorate persecuted political enemies nobility property executing actions undermined doubtful legitimacy eyes contributed outbreak revolts remote provinces kingdom local governor declared independent ruler shortly native population led certain rebelled rule narrative makes uprisings points fact rebellions broke shortly commencement roman expedition immediately asked assistance evidence active diplomatic involvement emperor preparation response detailed officers men accompany invasion fleet sail reacted rebellion sending bulk fleet best vessels men brother suppress king decision played crucial role outcome war removed scene navy main obstacle roman landing africa large army chose ignore revolt moment lesser threat remote lack manpower constrained await return undertaking campaigns time rulers tried win allies contacted king proposed alliance secured neutrality support strained relations ill treatment princess wife court readily agreed allow roman invasion fleet use harbour syracuse sicily establish market roman troops opposing forces selected trusted talented generals recently distinguished suppression riots lead expedition points suited appointment reasons native latin speaker welfare local population keeping tight troops qualities crucial winning support latin speaking african population accompanied wife secretary wrote history war according war army consisted infantry partly drawn field army partly cavalry elite corps unclear number included cavalry mentioned total figure addition additional bodies allied troops mounted army led array experienced officers solomon chosen chief staff placed charge army force transported vessels manned sailors admiral alexandria guarded ninety warships traditional view expressed expeditionary force remarkably small task especially given military reputation reflects limit fleet carrying capacity intentional limit impact defeat comments comparison armies early army large balanced force capable overcoming contained higher proportion high quality reliable troops armies stationed east picture clear army professional volunteer force like east roman army comprised able bodied male people modern estimates available forces vary estimates total population high men total population people bury men losses taken account population base hughes despite martial reputation grown time having come lead luxurious life amidst africa addition mode fighting ill suited confronting veterans army composed exclusively cavalry lightly armoured armed hand hand combat point entirely use bows stark contrast heavily armoured horse weakened hostility roman subjects continued existence faction loyal ambivalent position tribes watched oncoming conflict ready join victor seize war army sails africa amidst ceremony patriarch constantinople attendance roman fleet set sail june initial progress slow fleet spent days waiting horses days lack wind fleet left dardanelles july crossed port joined contingents troops took advantage enforced stay wind train troops disparate contingents men died caused bread according responsibility fell cut costs result bread went bad informed john appear punished took steps remedy situation army soon recovered fleet sailed crossed italy crossing took longer expected lack wind army suffered lack fresh water supplies brought aboard went bad eventually fleet reached sicily sent ahead syracuse gather intelligence activities chance met merchant friend servant arrived informed unaware sailing dispatched expedition away small inland town quickly informed immediately ordered army embark set sail african coast sailing malta reached eastern shore modern tunisia roman miles south advance roman fleet reached africa council held aboard flagship war officers advocated immediate attack especially fortified city realm walls cities having torn prevent rebellion fate expedition wary encounter fleet spoke army disembarked built fortified camp spend night knew success expedition relied gaining support local population largely retained roman identity presented day landing men stole fruit local orchard severely punished assembled army maintain discipline restraint native population abandon roman sympathies pleas bore results reports war soldiers behaved began way displaying great kindness won completely journey land roman army began march north following coastal road horse detached advance guard miles main army covered army left flank led rear guard attack known vicinity fleet followed army sailing coast town encountered captured detachment ruse attempt division gave letter written addressed nobles captured messenger emperor claimed campaigning behalf legitimate king messenger afraid deliver letter ploy came meantime learning romans arrival immediately notified brother assemble forces vicinity execute relatives secretary ordered load royal treasure ship sail spain romans won deprived best troops northward march roman army preparing decisive engagement place called tenth ordered bring forces romans advanced time engaged skirmish scouts army exchanging blows parties retired camps turned army westwards cutting neck peninsula dangerous route fleet sight morning september tenth day march roman army approached planned ambush force brother block advance engage men nephew attack left flank main army attack rear completely roman army event forces failed exactly arrived early killed attempted reconnaissance small force roman vanguard force intercepted flank guard utterly destroyed unaware marched main army scattered roman advance forces present victory came dead brother body apparently forgot battle gave time rally troops come main cavalry force defeat disorganized remainder forces fled westwards ended crushing roman victory lay open entry counterattack nightfall men rejoined army realized extent victory cavalry spent night battlefield morning infantry caught army arrived night falling thrown open gates illuminated city celebration fearing possible ambush darkness wishing soldiers tight control entering city meantime fleet rounded learning roman victory anchored city ignoring instructions men proceeded merchant settlement nearby morning day september drew army battle city walls enemy appeared led army city troops discipline roman army received warm welcome populace favourably impressed restraint took possession royal palace seated king throne consumed dinner ordered ready victorious return fleet entered army city remaining rounded placed guard prevent causing trouble dispatched solomon constantinople bear emperor news victory expecting imminent appearance army lost time repairing largely ruined walls city rendering capable sustaining siege following weeks remained strengthening walls established remnant army regia distributing money managed cement loyalty locals cause sent messages recalling men successful establishing authority killing waiting arrival king army increased arrival battle contingent allies tribes sent allegiance empire offered hostages asked insignia office traditionally awarded emperor silver staff silver crown white white boot furnished items anticipation demand duly dispatched sums money clear long outcome war remained count firm loyalty period sent announce recovery sailed unaware city fallen taken captive followed shortly envoys reached spain news roman successes arrived failed secure alliance reinforced roman general contingent sailed find possession soon received brother message left landed africa joining king determined advance intentions clear traditional interpretation hoped reduce city blockading believes lacking reserves protracted war attrition hoped force single decisive confrontation approaching city army cut supplying water attempted prevent provisions arriving city dispatched agents city undermine loyalty inhabitants imperial army alert possibility set example citizen intended join greatest danger came ferried africa feared left garrison agents contact managed maintain allegiance moment making promise final victory richly rewarded allowed return homes loyalty remained suspect like probably awaited emerge victor rally surrender securing loyalty populace army completing repairs walls resolved meet battle mid december marched direction fortified camp roman cavalry proceeded advance infantry ensuing purely cavalry affair army considerably outnumbered armies kept elements reserve john armenian played important role roman john led repeated charges centre culminating death followed general roman attack collapse army retreated camp seeing lost fled remaining gave thoughts resistance abandoned camp plundered romans like previous battle notable failed forces forced fight considerable numerical disadvantage dispersal army battle looting leaving vulnerable potential counter attack indication poor discipline roman army command difficulties faced bury comments expedition fate different opposed commander ability experience warfare points expresses issue war regard feat superior strategy fortune roman detachment pursued fleeing king days nights killed accident romans halted leader allowing escape city mount inhabitants rely sent men blockade fled surrendered roman general promised treated sent constantinople spring fortunate recovering royal treasure loaded ship secretary supposed sail spain later follow adverse winds kept ship harbour end handed romans exchange safety considerable share treasure believed began extend authority distant provinces outposts kingdom dispatched head proof victory john sent coast john sent twin fortresses controlled possession aid sent subject attacks local tribes demanded return port western sicily captured war kingdom exchange letters followed court drawn leading roman invasion italy year later remained blockaded mountain stronghold blockade dragged winter grew attacked mountain stronghold beaten loss quarter men success alter hopeless situation followers remained tightly blockaded began suffer lack food sent messages calling surrender spare followers misery march king agreed surrender receiving guarantees safety escorted aftermath triumph remain long africa consolidate success number officers army hopes advancement sent claiming intended establish kingdom africa gave general choices test intentions return constantinople remain africa captured aware chose return left africa summer accompanied large numbers captured enrolled regiments emperor treasure included objects looted rome years earlier including imperial second temple constantinople given honour celebrating triumph celebrated constantinople foundation granted private citizen half centuries described given ample estate raised rank refused renounce faith named consul year allowing celebrate second procession carried streets seated chair held aloft warriors distributing populace share war booty establishment roman rule africa wars immediately recovery africa emperor determined restore province extent prosperity words intended traces conquest restore conditions existed coming end barred holding office property returned owners males slaves victorious roman soldiers took wives restored position persecuted result measures population diminished gradually disappeared entirely absorbed broader provincial population april surrender old roman provincial division apparatus roman administration restored original parent africa italy rule army left form garrison new overall command regional start extensive fortification programme initiated including construction city walls smaller forts protect countryside remnants prominent archaeological remains region despite intentions roman control africa secure campaign secured provinces west hand imperial control extended series strongholds captured fleet coast far constantine inland areas remained control local tribes case kings initially acknowledged emperor gave hostages imperial authorities soon rose revolt imperial governor solomon combined offices able score successes strengthen roman rule africa work interrupted widespread military mutiny mutiny eventually subdued cousin solomon returned fell united tribes jeopardy resistance tribes finally broken talented general primary history wars war secondary robert byzantine_empire revised edition washington isbn bury history later roman empire death death london isbn charles byzantine domination byzantine french paris france hughes roman general isbn andy miles richard isbn
Vandalic War