1. Ad Decimum September 13, 533 Strategic Context Stakes No Image
Emperor Justinian of the Eastern Byzantine Empire is trying to reconquer the Western Byzantine Empire and restore the old glory of the Roman Empire. Many lands remain to be conquered when the usurped Vandal King Hilderic appeals for aid against his cousin, Gelimer, who is much less friendly to Byzantine interests. Justinian sends his best general, Belisarius, to Africa with an expeditionary force to defeat the Vandals and reestablish control over Carthage, North Africa and the Mediterranean. Belisarius is marching on Carthage when Gelimer springs an ambush.
Stakes
+ A Byzantine victory would return North Africa to the Byzantine Empire.
+ A Vandal victory would prevent Byzantine expansion to North Africa and continue to challenge for control of the Mediterranean.
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By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

2. Ad Decimum, 533 Strength Byzantines Well Vandals Well Belisarius
Gelimer
10,000 infantry
7,000 infantry
5,000 cavalry
4,000 cavalry
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

4. Vandals (Gelimer) 7,000 infantry 4,000 cavalry Byzantines (Belisarius)
The Vandals become disorganized themselves without a coherent leader but are still capable of being a potent fighting force. Belisarius therefore launches a sudden full scale attack before Gelimer again takes control. This attack eventually breaks the Vandal army and the Byzantines pursue the Vandals from the battlefield.
Belisarius’ force proceeds westward; he places cavalry to guard the front and rear of the infantry columns. Gelimer divides his force into three to ambush the unsuspecting Byzantines. A cavalry force under Ammatas establishes a blocking position while another cavalry force under Gibamund and the main infantry force under Gelimer lay in wait to assail the Byzantine flanks.
A stroke of fortune staves off defeat for Belisarius; Gelimer arrives at the front to find Gibamund, his brother, slain. He is overcome with sorrow and insists his brother be buried immediately right there on the battlefield. During this time, heavy fighting continues but Gelimer does not push the attack, granting Belisarius the necessary time to coordinate his infantry into a controlled mass.
The fierce, congested melee is won by the heavier Byzantine cavalry who kill Ammatus and chase the Vandal cavalry away before eventually turning back to aid their fellow cavalry. They arrive too late however as Gelimer’s main infantry force joins the battle and routs the Byzantine mercenary cavalry. Just as the Byzantine infantry appear on the verge of straightening out their ranks, the Vandal infantry crash into them, further disordering them. Belisarius marshals his force as best he can, merely to survive.
Ammatas’ cavalry engage the Byzantine advance guard while Gibamund’s cavalry hook around its left flank. Belisarius quickly checks this second force with his own cavalry and a fierce melee ensues at the front of the column. Meanwhile, Belisarius struggles to organize his infantry to join the battle.
Vandals
(Gelimer)
7,000 infantry
4,000 cavalry
Byzantines
(Belisarius)
Ammatas
Gelimer
Gibamund
Byzantines
(Belisarius)
10,000 infantry
5,000 cavalry
Vandals
(Gelimer)

5. Ad Decimum, 533 Casualties & Aftermath
Byzantines:
Vandals:
≈2,200 or
20%
≈750 or 5%
Belisarius encamped for the night before marching into Carthage the next day. Belisarius declared the city’s citizens to be Romans oppressed by Vandal rule and issued orders for their fair treatment. The Byzantines found the city’s gates open and Belisarius set about improving the city’s fortifications against the resilient Vandal kingdom. Belisarius defeated Gelimer and the Vandals for good later the same year at Tricamarum.
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©

6. The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps
By Jonathan Webb, 2009 ©