HKB
9 passages · search this phrase →
Often appears with: strategy and the aims of war · supply, logistics, and encampment · military discipline and training · nisibis · conquest, plunder, and captives · treaties, truces, and peacemaking · theodora’s vengeance · sisauranon fortress · siege and fortification · sexuality and desire · saracen religious season · roman fear of persians
Usually: narrative (6) · detachment (4) · confronting death (3) · censure (2) · commentary or gloss (1) · letter or document (1) · speech or oration (1) · betrayal (1) · temptation (1) · curiosity (1)
“For I would not have you think that the Romans have suddenly become better warriors, or that they have acquired any more valour or experience, but that they have become more cowardly than they were previously.” Procopius of Caesarea, History of the Wars, Books I and II: The Persian War · insight
“And not even with this did they begin any fighting, but when we did not join battle with them at all, joyfully and considering that matters had gone better for them than they had hoped, they withdrew to the wall.” Procopius of Caesarea, History of the Wars, Books I and II: The Persian War · observation
“For talk carried about through a camp cannot keep secrets, for it advances little by little until it is carried out even to the enemy.” Procopius of Caesarea, History of the Wars, Books I and II: The Persian War · insight
“For stupid daring leads to destruction, but discreet hesitation is well adapted always to save those who adopt such a course.” Procopius of Caesarea, History of the Wars, Books I and II: The Persian War · precept
Belisarius’s camp prepares for battle as mirranes exhorts the Persians, arguing Roman discipline reflects fear and recent cowardice, not newfound skill, and warning of disgrace if they fail.
Persians into Daras. But let the bath and lunch be in readiness for me within the fortifications." When Belisarius and his generals read this, they prepared themselves for the conflict. On the succeeding day the mirranes called together all the Persians at about sunrise and spoke as follows: "I am not ignorant that it is not because of words of their leaders, but because of their individual bravery and their shame b…
Procopius explains how Justinian divides Eastern command between Belisarius (to the Euphrates) and Bouzes (to the Persian boundary), and reports Bouzes’s proposal to use stratagems around Hierapolis.
VI It had happened a little before this that the emperor had divided into two parts the military command of the East, leaving the portion as far as the River Euphrates under the control of Belisarius who formerly held the command of the whole, while the portion from there as far as the Persian boundary he entrusted to Bouzes, commanding him to take charge of the whole territory of the East until Belisarius should re…
Belisarius, after counsel from Peter and Bouzes, prepares to invade while rejecting Lebanon commanders’ fears, citing a Saracen religious season at the vernal equinox when they avoid raids.
been gathered together for this purpose, it is fair, I think, that you should tell without any concealment what seems to each one best and most advantageous." Thus spoke Belisarius. And Peter and Bouzes urged him to lead the army without any hesitation against the enemy's country. And their opinion was followed immediately by the whole council. Rhecithancus, however, and Theoctistus, the commanders of the troops in …
Belisarius and his Roman army march from Daras toward Nisibis, camp away from Nisibis’s walls, explains secrecy and the plan to exploit a battle near the city, and later warns Peter about a midday Persian attack.
XVIII Meantime Belisarius and the Roman army, having learned nothing of what was being done there, were going in excellent order from the city of Daras toward Nisibis. And when they had reached the middle of their journey, Belisarius led the army to the right where there were abundant springs of water and level ground sufficient for all to camp upon. And there he gave orders to make a camp at about forty-two stades …
Belisarius, finding Nisibis too strong, halts and plans to capture the Persian fortress Sisauranon instead, arguing against advancing with strongholds behind; he orders Arethas into Assyria to plunder and then proceed after the fortress.
XIX And Belisarius, seeing that Nisibis was exceedingly strong, and having no hope regarding its capture, was eager to go forward, in order that he might do the enemy some damage by a sudden inroad. Accordingly he broke camp and moved forward with the whole army. And after accomplishing a day's journey, they came upon a fortress which the Persians call Sisauranon. There were in that place besides the numerous popula…
Belisarius keeps his fleet together by marking three leading ships with red sails and lights, then sails from Abydus toward Sigeum, Malea, and Taenarum/ Caenopolis, landing at Methone where disease later begins.
them and took thought to conduct their lives with moderation, for they saw that they would not be free from great danger if they should be caught doing anything unlawful. XIII After this Belisarius bethought him how his whole fleet should always keep together as it sailed and should anchor in the same place. For he knew that in a large fleet, and especially if rough winds should assail them, it was inevitable that …
Goths reply to Belisarius that they did not seize Justinian’s possessions, claim Sicily and Lilybaeum as theirs, and ask arbitration by the emperor rather than battle.
to this fortress, war will confront you immediately, and not for Lilybaeum alone, but for all the possessions you claim as yours, though not one of them belongs to you." Such was the message of the letter. And the Goths reported these things to the mother[16] of Antalaric, and at her direction made the following reply: "The letter which you have written, most excellent Belisarius, carries sound admonition, but perti…
Belisarius sends an oath-guard with Cyprian to Papua, brings Gelimer as a captive to Carthage, allows no dishonor, and then seeks permission to take him to Byzantium.
indeed, as soon as you give the pledges, shall put both myself into your hands and these kinsmen of mine and the Vandals, as many as are here with us." Such were the words written by Gelimer in this letter. And Pharas, having signified this to Belisarius, as well as what they had previously written to each other, begged him to declare as quickly as possible what his wish was. And Belisarius (since he was greatly des…
Antonina, Belisarius’s wife, is portrayed as coming from circus and theatre prostitution, learning drug lore, then marrying Belisarius while secretly deceiving him—especially fearing Empress Theodora’s revenge.
The wife of Belisarius, whom I have spoken of in my previous writings, was the daughter and grand-daughter of chariot-drivers, men who had practised their art in the circus at Byzantium and at Thessalonica. Her mother was one of the prostitutes of the theatre. She herself at first lived a lewd life, giving herself up to unbridled debauchery; besides this, she devoted herself to the study of the drugs which had long b…