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thyreos

Byzantine Battles

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Abydos, 989
Ad Decimum, 533
Ad Salices, 377
Adramyttium, 1205
Adrianople, 324
Adrianople, 378
Adrianople, 813
Adrianople, 1254
Adrianople, 1369
Ajnadayn, 634
Akroinos, 740
Aleppo, 637
Aleppo, 962
Aleppo, 969
Alexandretta, 971
Altava, 578
Alexandria, 641
Amida, 502-503
Amida, 359
Amida, 973
Amorium, 838
Anchialus, 708
Anchialus, 763
Anchialus, 917
Andrassus, 960
Ani, 1064
Anthidon, 634
Antioch, 540
Antioch, 611
Antioch, 969
Antioch on Meander, 1211
Anzen, 838
Apadna, 503
Apamea, 998
Apros, 1305
Apulia, 1155
Aquae Saravenae, 979
Araxes, 589
Arcadiopolis, 970
Arcadiopolis, 1194
Ariminum, 538
Arzamon, 586
Attalia, 1207
Aurasium, 540
Auximus, 539
Azaz, 1030
Babylon, Egypt, 640
Balathista, 1014
Bapheus, 1302
Bargylus, 634
Bari, 1068-1071
Bathys Ryax, 872
Berat, 1281
Veroï, 1122
Balarathos, 591
Bar, 1042
Berzitia, 774
Bitola, 1015
Ganzaka, 591
Bosporus, 1352
Boulgarophygon, 896
Bourgaon, 535
Brindisi, 1156
Brocade, 634
Bursa, 1317-1326
Busta Gallorum, 552
Calavrye, 1079
Callinicum, 531
Campus Ardiensis, 316
Cannae, 1018
Cape Bon, 468
Carthage, 468
Carthage, 698
Cephalonia, 880
Kefalonia, 880
Lipares, 880
Stelai, 880
Castrogiovanni, 859
Chariopolis, 1051
Chersonesus, 447
Chrysopolis, 324
Cibalae, 316
Cillium, 544
Constantinople, 626
Constantinople, 674-678
Constantinople, 717-718
Constantinople, 941
Constantinople, 1047
Constantinople, 1187
Constantinople, 1204
Constantinople, 1235
Constantinople, 1260
Constantinople, 1261
Constantinople, 1422
Constantinople, 1453
Cotyaeum, 492
Crasus, 804
Crete, 824
Crete, 828
Crete, 961
Ctesiphon, 363
Damascus, 634
Damietta, 853
Daras, 530
Daras, 573
Dathin, 634
Dazimon, 838
Demetrias, 1274
Demotika, 1352
Devina, 1279
Diakene, 1050
Diampoli, 1049
Didymoteichon, 1352
Dimitritsi, 1185
Dorostalon, 971
Dranginai, 1040
Dyrrachium, 1018
Dyrrachium, 1081
Caesarea, 1073
Echinades, 1427
Edessa, 1031
Ekato Vounoi, 1050
Emessa, 635-636
Faventia, 542
Fields of Cato, 548
Firaz, 634
Frigidus, 394
Gallipoli, 1354
Gallipoli, 1366
Hades, 1057
Heliopolis, 640
Hellespont, 324
Heraclea, 806
Hieromyax, 636
Hyelion - Leimocheir,1177
Iron Bridge, 637
Ieromyax, 636
Jerusalem, 614
Jerusalem, 637
Kaisareia, 1073
Kalavrye, 1079
Kapetron, 1049
Katasyrtai, 917
Kleidion, 1014
Klokotnitsa, 1230
Kopidnadon, 788
Koundouros, 1205
Krasos, 804
Lalakaon, 863
Larissa, 1084
Lemnos, 1025
Levounion, 1091
Makryplagi, 1264
Mammes, 534
Manzikert, 1071
Maogamalcha, 363
Maranga, 363
Marcellae, 756
Marcellae, 792
Marcianopolis, 377
Mardia, 316
Marj-ud-Deebaj, 634
Marta, 547
Masts, 655
Martyropolis, 588
Mavropotamos, 844
Mediolanum, 539
Melanthius, 559
Melantias, 559
Melitene, 576
Membresa, 536
Mercurii Promontorium, 468
Messina, 843
Milano, 539
Milvian Bridge, 312
Mons Seleucus, 353
Monte Siricolo, 1041
Montepeloso, 1041
Montemaggiore, 1041
Morava, 1191
Mount Lactarius, 553
Mucellium, 542
Mursa Major, 351
Mutah, 629
Myriokephalon, 1176
Naples, 536
Neopatras, 1274
Nicaea, 1077
Nicaea, 1097
Nicaea, 1328-1331
Nicomedia, 782
Nicomedia, 1337
Nikiou, 646
Nineveh, 627
Nisibis, 338
Nisibis, 350
Noviodunum, 369
Olivento, 1041
Ongal, 680
Ophlimos, 622
Orontes, 994
Osimo, 539
Ostrovo, 1043
Palakazio, 1021
Palermo, 830-831
Pancalia, 978
Pegae, 922
Pelacanon, 1329
Pelagonia, 1259
Petra, 549
Petra, 551
Petroe, 1057
Perkri, 1034
Pharsalus, 1277
Philadelphia, 1390
Philomelion, 1117
Phoenix, 655
Pirisabora, 363
Pliska, 811
Poimanenon, 1224
Poson, 863
Preslava, 1053
Prinitza, 1263
Prusa, 1326
Rhodes, 1249
Rhodes, 1309
Rhyndacus, 1211
Rimini, 538
Rishki Pass, 759
Rome, 537-538
Rome, 545 - 546
Rometta, 964
Rometta, 1038
Rousokastro, 1332
Rus Raid, 860
Rus Raid, 941
Rus Raid, 1025
Rus Raid, 1043
Samarra, 363
Sardis, 743
Satala, 530
Save, 388
Saxa Rubra, 312
Scalas Veteres, 537
Sebastia, 1070
Sebastopolis, 692
Sedica, 809
Sena Gallica, 551
Setina, 1017
Shirimni, 1021
Singara, 344
Sirmium, 441
Sirmium, 580-582
Sirmium, 1167
Siscia, 388
Skafida, 1304
Solachon, 586
Spercheios, 997
Strumica, 1014
Strymon, 1185
Sufetula, 647
Svindax, 1022
Syllaeum, 677
Syracuse, 827-828
Syracuse, 877-878
Taginae, 552
Taormina, 902
Tarsus, 965
Thacia, 545
Thannourios, 528
Thasos, 829
Thessalonica, 586
Thessalonica, 615
Thessalonica, 617
Thessalonica, 676-678
Thessalonica, 904
Thessalonica, 995
Thessalonica, 1014
Thessalonica, 1040
Thessalonica, 1185
Thessalonica, 1224
Thessalonica, 1264
Thessalonica, 1430
Thomas the Slav, 821-823
Tornikios, 1047
Trajan’s Gate, 986
Tricameron, 533
Troina, 1040
Tryavna, 1190
Utus, 447
Vasiliki Livada, 1050
Veregava, 759
Versinikia, 813
Vescera, 682
Vesuvius, 553
Vid, 447
Viminacium, 599
Volturnus, 554
Wadi al-Arabah, 634
Yarmuk, 636
Zombos, 1074
Zygos pass, 1053
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Aspis

Siege of Ariminum

(Siege of Rimini)
year:

538

Ineffective siege of Byzantine-occupied Ariminum (Rimini) by the Ostrogoths ★ ★ ★ ★
enemy:
Ostrogoths
location:
Ariminum, present-day Rimini in Italy
 accuracy: ●●●●●
battle type:
Siege
war:
Gothic War in Italy
modern country:
Italy
  The Byzantines(emperor:  Justinian I) The Enemies
Commander: John King Vitiges
Forces: 3,400
Losses:

Background story:
General Belisarius conquered Rome without a fight in December 536. The following March, the Ostrogoths returned and besieged the city with a large army. Belisarius managed to defend successfully for almost a year and, despite the great numerical advantage of the Goths, it was clear that the siege was doomed to fail.
One of the tactics of Belisarius, especially towards the end of the siege, was to send forces to the rear of the besiegers and to occupy positions and fortresses cutting off the supply lines of the enemy.
As part of these distraction raids, Belisarius sent an officer, John (nephew of the notorious rebel Vitalianus), with 2,000 Isaurian horsemen to the province of Picenum northeast of Rome. John began looting and slaughtering civilians in this area and defeated an army of Goths who tried to stop him. Going further north, John reached Auximus (Osimo), a city with a strong castle which he estimated that it would be difficult to capture, so he bypassed it and reached Urbinus (Urbino) which also bypassed for the same reason.

The ambitious John did not want to waste time in castle sieges. After all, having only cavalry, he was not properly prepared for sieges. So he took the initiative to turn against the important city and port of Ariminum, today's Rimini. The city was a day’s distance from Ravenna, where Vitiges, king of the Ostrogoths, was based. John believed - rightly as it turned out - that if he took Ariminum, the Ostrogoths would be forced to rush there with all their forces and abandon the siege of Rome.
When John and his cavalry approached Ariminum, the small Gothic guard stationed in the city thought it was the vanguard of Belisarius’ army. So they put up no resistance and left the city. Thus, beyond all expectations, John found himself the lord of Ariminum, but had left behind two strong enemy fortresses, which was contrary to the orders of Belisarius.

As predicted by John, the Ostrogoths had to leave Rome and focus on Rimini, where the threat was imminent. These developments made a great impression and were considered a great achievement of John, who already had a reputation as an excellent warrior. Belisarius, however, did not seem to be particularly amused with John’s sudden glory.

Belisarius, knowing that the Ostrogoths would besiege Ariminum, sent reinforcements of 1000 men led by Generals Ildiger and Martinos. Apparently Belisarius did not want to keep 2000 excellent cavalry, who would be invaluable in open warfare, shut up in Ariminum, and only tempting the Goths to besiege it. So he wanted to replace them with other forces more experienced in city defense.
Indeed, Ildiger and Martinos arrived in Ariminum after passing through Ancona where they took 400 infantry. But John, disobeying the orders of Belisarius, refused to leave and hand over the command of the besieged city. After that, Ildiger and Martinos left, leaving behind the reinforcements they had brought with them.

The Battle:
Ariminum
ancient Ariminum
As expected, Ostrogothic King Vitiges besieged Ariminum with a large army.
At the beginning of the siege, the Ostrogoths built a large wooden siege tower that was taller than the walls. To move it near the fortification, the tower was dragged by soldiers instead of oxen (because in Rome the Byzantines had shot the oxen and the siege engines had become useless). But at night, John himself came out of the walls and with a group of Isaurians dug a trench along the walls to prevent the siege engine from approaching. The next morning the Goths were surprised. To cover the trench, they filled it with faggots, but when the huge tower tried to pass, the layer of fillings receded and the tower stuck.
The Goths decided to withdraw and began to pull back the siege tower. Then John attacked. A bloody battle ensued in which the Goths suffered heavy losses, although the Byzantines failed to destroy the tower.

Vitiges after the embarrassing incident with the siege machine and having suffered serious losses decided to stop the attacks on the walls and instead to blockade the city, that was unprepared for a long siege and did not have sufficient supplies. This also enabled him to release part of his forces to strengthen the defense on other fronts where Belisarius was trying to advance.
This plan worked better and the city after a few weeks began to suffer from hunger and lack of supplies. It was obvious that it could not resist for long if help did not come in time from the Byzantine army.

At that time, after the end of the siege of Rome, the war with the Goths had shifted to central and northern Italy. Belisarius was advancing north slowly and methodically, occupying one by one the fortresses of the Goths. The advantage of the Byzantines was further strengthened when new reinforcements arrived from Byzantium of 7,000 men (5000 Isaurians + 2000 Heruls) led by the eunuch Narses. This development seriously strengthened the Byzantine military power in Italy, but created confusion as to who would actually be the head of operations in Italy from now on.

Belisarius was not willing to intervene to alleviate the siege of Ariminum, considering that in an advance to Ariminum with the stronghold of Auximus in the rear, his army would be exposed and vulnerable. Besides, John had found himself in this difficult position due to his own disobedience.
At a meeting of the commanders of the army, most agreed with this logic. But not Narses, who insisted that they should not let Ariminum fall. He even went so far as to hint that Belisarius would be accused for disobedience to the king if he did not act. Then an envoy from John arrived, who managed to cross the enemy lines, bringing a letter to the general, informing him that if help did not come, he would be forced to surrender within seven days and no one would have the right to blame him. Belisarius was finally persuaded that he had to save Rimini. And from the moment he decided, he moved as always with impeccable tactics and with extreme efficiency.

Belisarius divided his army into four divisions. He left a unit with 1000 men as a rearguard to guard its rear towards Auximus. A large force was sent by sea to Ariminum under Ildiger, who was ordered not to disembark until another unit marching along the coast, led by Martinos, reached the city. Martinos was instructed when he would approach Ariminum to light many fires on the mountain to give the enemy the impression of a large army. Belisarius, accompanied by Narsis, led the rest of the army through the mountains to reach there from the northwest. For the complete success of the plan it was necessary that the convergence of the three armies on the city should be timed to coincide.
During the march of Belisarius, a skirmish took place with a group of Goths who fled and took refuge in Ariminum where they informed the Ostrogoth leaders that Belisarius was coming with a large army.
Immediately the Ostrogoths lined up for battle on the north side of the city and spent the day waiting for Belisarius to appear from the hills to the northwest. When night fell and they relaxed, they suddenly saw on the opposite side, to the southeast, the many fires that had been lit by Martinos’ soldiers. The Goths realized that they were in danger of being surrounded, and passed the night in fear. When morning came and they looked out to sea, they saw a fleet of hostile ships approaching. All this was too much and the Goths broke up their camp and hurried to leave for Ravenna. In fact, if the city guard had not been so exhausted and chased them, the war would have ended that day. But John's unit was too weak to to seize the moment.

Ildiger and the troops that came with the fleet were the first to arrive at the abandoned camp of the barbarians. Belisarius arrived later, at noon.
When Belisarius met John, pale and weak, he remarked that he ought to thank Ildiger. John dryly replied that his gratitude was due only to Narses.

Aftermath:
The Byzantine ops continued for the next two years with success. The war was now a series of sieges and captures of castles. The bad thing was that the army was split in two. Half were with Belisarius and the others with Narses and John, who acted independently for a while. This lasted for a few months when Narses and John failed to help the city of Milan resulting in the sack of the city by the enemy. After that, Narses was recalled. He came back to Italy 12 years later.