Comments on: Gothic War: Byzantine Count Belisarius Retakes Rome http://www.historynet.com/gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome.htm?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome From the World's Largest History Magazine Publisher Wed, 15 Feb 2012 04:36:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3 By: John Kelley http://www.historynet.com/gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome.htm#comment-784781 John Kelley Sat, 17 Dec 2011 13:55:27 +0000 #comment-784781 The Gothic War, or wars was one of the most destructive struggles in history. Eighteen years ~ 536 to 554 AD. According to J.D.Bury historian, about 15 million people died in the wars; the whole secular infrastructure to govern was destroyed; the Roman senate in this century held its last meeting; and to top off this incredible mini-world war, the world was hit by plagues and earthquakes that significantly reduced the known world's population. This was the "game changer" in history. Italy was no longer a unified country, as it increasingly became a fractured land. Its unity finally occured in the mid 19th century. It is by the skin of our teeth that civilization was able to survive the 6th century. What ifs in history, what if Belisarius accepted the Ostrogoths offer to rule Italy? How different would the Western world be? The Gothic War, or wars was one of the most destructive struggles in history. Eighteen years ~ 536 to 554 AD. According to J.D.Bury historian, about 15 million people died in the wars; the whole secular infrastructure to govern was destroyed; the Roman senate in this century held its last meeting; and to top off this incredible mini-world war, the world was hit by plagues and earthquakes that significantly reduced the known world's population. This was the "game changer" in history. Italy was no longer a unified country, as it increasingly became a fractured land. Its unity finally occured in the mid 19th century. It is by the skin of our teeth that civilization was able to survive the 6th century. What ifs in history, what if Belisarius accepted the Ostrogoths offer to rule Italy? How different would the Western world be?

]]> By: Charles Leopardo http://www.historynet.com/gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome.htm#comment-310315 Charles Leopardo Sat, 17 Jul 2010 02:31:15 +0000 #comment-310315 Good article. However, there is one glaring error. Constantine the Great did not in fact establish Christianity as the state religion of Rome. His Edict of Toleration merely legalized Christianity, which had previously been an illegal cult under Roman law. Although Constantine certainly favored and patronized the Christian Church, he continued to maintain the official pagan Roman state cult, and he maintained the imperial tradition as it's Chief Priest. Christianity did not become the official religion of the Roman state until some forty years after the death of Constantine, during the reign of Theodosius I. Good article. However, there is one glaring error. Constantine the Great did not in fact establish Christianity as the state religion of Rome. His Edict of Toleration merely legalized Christianity, which had previously been an illegal cult under Roman law. Although Constantine certainly favored and patronized the Christian Church, he continued to maintain the official pagan Roman state cult, and he maintained the imperial tradition as it's Chief Priest. Christianity did not become the official religion of the Roman state until some forty years after the death of Constantine, during the reign of Theodosius I.

]]> By: S. Donnelly http://www.historynet.com/gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome.htm#comment-307900 S. Donnelly Fri, 09 Jul 2010 13:59:50 +0000 #comment-307900 Good article. You might also have pointed out a couple of other facts: a) Belisarius in pretending to accept the Italian "Kingship" actually was disobeying a settlement agreed to by Justinian to split Italy and let the Goths continue to rule Northern Italy. b) The twenty odd years of war devastated Italy. At the beginning of the war, it is estimated that Italy had a population of 7.2 million. At the end, between war, famine and plague, the population had been cut in half. c) Under Theodoric, Italy had been the dominant Barbarian kingdom in the West. However after the war, Italy found itself cut up into small competing kingdoms and enclaves. It would not be re-united for another 1300 years (1861). Ref: History of the Later Roman Empire, J.B. Bury Good article. You might also have pointed out a couple of other facts:

a) Belisarius in pretending to accept the Italian "Kingship" actually was disobeying a settlement agreed to by Justinian to split Italy and let the Goths continue to rule Northern Italy.

b) The twenty odd years of war devastated Italy. At the beginning of the war, it is estimated that Italy had a population of 7.2 million. At the end, between war, famine and plague, the population had been cut in half.

c) Under Theodoric, Italy had been the dominant Barbarian kingdom in the West. However after the war, Italy found itself cut up into small competing kingdoms and enclaves. It would not be re-united for another 1300 years (1861).

Ref: History of the Later Roman Empire, J.B. Bury

]]> By: Byzantine Lessons in Hybrid War Pt 1 « New Wars http://www.historynet.com/gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome.htm#comment-277749 Byzantine Lessons in Hybrid War Pt 1 « New Wars Mon, 17 May 2010 10:02:01 +0000 #comment-277749 [...] is very tempting to compare Justinian’s Gothic War in Italy to today’s Iraq War. The Byzantines entered the country with very small forces, only [...] [...] is very tempting to compare Justinian's Gothic War in Italy to today's Iraq War. The Byzantines entered the country with very small forces, only [...]

]]> By: Who the #$@* is Belisarius? « The Last Roman: A Novel of Belisarius http://www.historynet.com/gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome.htm#comment-67109 Who the #$@* is Belisarius? « The Last Roman: A Novel of Belisarius Fri, 29 May 2009 02:21:51 +0000 #comment-67109 [...] If you’re interested in further reading, I recommend Belisarius’ wikipedia entry and this thoroughly readable account of the Siege of Rome. [...] [...] If you're interested in further reading, I recommend Belisarius' wikipedia entry and this thoroughly readable account of the Siege of Rome. [...]

]]> By: Too Much of a Good Thing… « Carpe Hot Dog http://www.historynet.com/gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome.htm#comment-59370 Too Much of a Good Thing… « Carpe Hot Dog Fri, 08 May 2009 03:43:18 +0000 #comment-59370 [...] of Rome in 536/7. 5,000 men against an army of 50,000 and he pulled it off. You can read about it HERE. That defense could, I think, make for an awesome story in its own [...] [...] of Rome in 536/7. 5,000 men against an army of 50,000 and he pulled it off. You can read about it HERE. That defense could, I think, make for an awesome story in its own [...]

]]> By: kevin http://www.historynet.com/gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome.htm#comment-13221 kevin Sun, 05 Oct 2008 18:58:03 +0000 #comment-13221 you never mentioned that the war lasted from march 537 to march 538(1 yr and 7 days) you never mentioned that the war lasted from march 537 to march 538(1 yr and 7 days)

]]> By: John Kelley http://www.historynet.com/gothic-war-byzantine-count-belisarius-retakes-rome.htm#comment-9400 John Kelley Tue, 02 Sep 2008 01:36:39 +0000 #comment-9400 The description of building destroyed by Vandals and Visigoths is not quite right. The Ostrogothic King gave money for the upkeep of the urban structure of Rome. Money was being used to maintain Rome and its population ranged between 150,000 - 300,000 in the 6th Century befor the Gothic Wars. Your description about the condition of the building is way off What really brought ruin to Rome was the massive earthquake of 847 that destroyed the palaces on Palentine hill and one of the large basilicas. The description of building destroyed by Vandals and Visigoths is not quite right. The Ostrogothic King gave money for the upkeep of the urban structure of Rome. Money was being used to maintain Rome and its population ranged between 150,000 – 300,000 in the 6th Century befor the Gothic Wars. Your description about the condition of the building is way off What really brought ruin to Rome was the massive earthquake of 847 that destroyed the palaces on Palentine hill and one of the large basilicas.

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