general greek east roman byzantine general gothic origin primarily known career wars reigned distinguished war command gothic war departure italy failed confront largely responsible loss rome returning east disgrace despite advanced age appointed commander war recapture subsequent led dismiss exile origin according contemporary historian born hailed noble gothic family long established belonging followed great left invade italy held remarks gothic contemporary writer claims hailed settlement comprising certain evidence variously interpreted modern commentators leaning gothic identity according impossible sources hand draw definite conclusion ethnicity maintains typical example identity evidenced 6th century balkan populations especially military career east little known early life career joined imperial army youth according experienced war war broke took war officer known service hand probably identified comes addressed letter bishop jacob identification valid probably moderate reappears war persia appointed base capacity led cavalry persian force guarding frontier sector comprising infantry cavalry generals byzantines engaged battle banks routed killing taking captive raided province returned retaliation byzantine success persian sent large army commanded senior generals besieged city autumn digging trenches mines garrison held firm finally approach winter arrival large byzantine forces nearby news death forced persian commanders raise siege november december soon withdrawal force hired mercenaries invaded roman territory raided far caught raiding parties destroyed capturing horses booty actions italy appointed constantine expedition kingdom italy accompanied early stages campaign recovery sicily siege naples present fall november byzantine army advanced rome captured fight sent constantine capture outlying towns learned new gothic king marching rome recalled near town controlled direct route gothic capital rome met defeated gothic vanguard skirmish year long siege rome commanded troops gate distinguished number skirmishes known role subsequent events probably time raised rank early protected general constantine tried kill dispute preparing enter accepting gothic offer emperor west clearly felt trusted sent generals john occupy remote locations italy following departure remained italy appoint overall commander replace result byzantine generals left italy failed actions instead remnants northern italy retreated safety fortified cities allowing gather new leader marched routed byzantine force advanced troops late king byzantine commanders assembled efforts imperial troops repulsed defeated invaded threatened florence held general john marched aid retreated byzantine reinforcements pursued fell drove flight new defeat byzantine commanders dispersed cities abandoned fate withdrew forces known activities early time garrison commander rome general responsible city defence siege siege restricted passive defence refusing forth walls returned east landed reinforcements nearby ordered result attempts city failed heavily criticizes conduct siege neglected civilian population city enriched selling populace grain prices civilians exhausted famine finally allowed wanted leave city simply died killed finally proved conduct defence allowed security measures grow guards slept posts patrols discontinued allowed soldiers contact december city betrayed managed escape greater garrison treasure amassed left enjoy following dismal performance italy apparently recalled constantinople return eastern command appears following failure large byzantine army capture strategic fortress ongoing war western georgia general surprise considerable criticism view advanced age failure rome named successor entrusted conduct war sent expeditionary force suppress rebellion north expedition successful leader forced flee spring long siege thanks largely bravery byzantines allies troops captured continued resist citadel ordered following victory ordered city walls razed ground capture eyes contemporaries subsequent actions instead following success capture mountain passes connecting persian province retired west roman provinces administration inactivity allowed consolidate persian control eastern byzantine forces withdrew west mouth including king family sought refuge mountains despite enduring harsh conditions winter rejected peace offers conveyed envoys received substantial reinforcements attacks fortresses held byzantines repulsed reappears campaign appointed joint commander martin soon protested incompetence byzantine generals dismissed property confiscated sent exile known
Bessas (general)