Editing Battle of Ad Decimum

{{Short description|Battle of the Vandalic War in 533 AD}}
{{page numbers needed|date=September 2020}}
{{Infobox military conflict
| conflict          = Battle of Ad Decimum
| partof            = the [[Vandalic War]]
| image             = File:Battle of Ad Decimum - First phase.svg
| caption           = 
| date              = September 13, 533 CE
| place             = Near [[Carthage]] and modern-day Tunis.
| result            = [[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] victory
| combatant1        = [[Byzantine Empire]]
| combatant2        = [[Vandals|Vandal Kingdom]]
| commander1        = [[Belisarius]]<br/>[[John the Armenian]] <br/>[[Calonymus]]
| commander2        = [[Gelimer]]<br/>[[Ammatus|Ammatas]]{{KIA}}
| strength1         = 18,000 men<ref name=":0"/> or 15,000 men
| strength2         = Greater than the Romans,<ref name="brogna1995">{{Cite thesis|last=Brogna|first=Anthony|url=https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a299019.pdf|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210117030448/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a299019.pdf|archive-date=17 January 2021|title=The Generalship of Belisarius.|location=[[United States Army Command and General Staff College]], [[Fort Leavenworth]]|date=1995|publisher=[[Defense Technical Information Center]]|language=English|oclc=227839393|degree=Master of Military Art and Science|page=[https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a299019.pdf#page=57 50]{{ndash}}56}}</ref> 20,000 men at maximum. Most likely 10,000–12,000 men<ref name=":0"/> or 11,000 men.
| casualties1       = 1,000? Still unknown modern estimate 
| casualties2       = 3,000–4,000? Still unknown modern estimate 
}}
{{Campaignbox Wars of Justinian I}}

The '''Battle of Ad Decimum''' took place on September 13, 533 between the armies of the [[Vandals]], commanded by King [[Gelimer]], and the [[Byzantine Empire]], under the command of General [[Belisarius]]. This event and events in the following year are sometimes jointly referred to as the '''Battle of Carthage''', one of [[Battle of Carthage (disambiguation)|several battles]] to bear that name. The Byzantine victory marked the beginning of the end for the Vandals and began the reconquest of the west under the Emperor [[Justinian I]].

== Battle ==

===Prelude===
The [[Vandal Kingdom]] in North Africa was ruled by King [[Hilderic]]. His reign was noteworthy for the kingdom's excellent relations with the [[Byzantine Empire]] ruled by Emperor [[Justinian I]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite book|url=https://archive.org/details/belisariuslastro00ianh|title=Belisarius : the last Roman general|last=Hughes, Ian (Historian)|date=2009|publisher=Westholme|isbn=978-1594160851|location=Yardley, Pa.|oclc=294885267|url-access=registration}}</ref> Procopius writes that he was "a very particular friend and guest-friend of Justinian, who had not yet come to the throne",<ref name=":5" /> noting that Hilderic and Justinian exchanged large presents of money to each other. Hilderic allowed a new Chalcedonian bishop to take office in the Vandal capital of Carthage, and many Vandals began to convert to the Chalcedonians, to the alarm of the Vandal nobility. Hilderic rejected the [[Arianism|Arian]] Christianity that most Vandals followed. However, in 531,<ref>J-J.Norwich "A short history of Byzantium", Penguin Books</ref> Hilderic was overthrown by his cousin [[Gelimer]], a popular military commander who had commanded successfully against the Moors.<ref name=":0" /> Gelimer began persecuting the non-Arian population, and many fled to the Byzantine Empire. Justinian sent Byzantine general [[Belisarius]] to reconquer the former Roman province of North Africa. On Midsummer Day 533 the expedition set off. It consisted of 5,000 Byzantine cavalry and twice as many infantry and some additional units but their number and composition is not named by the primary sources.<ref name=":0" /> They travelled in a fleet of 500 transports,<ref name=":0" /> escorted by ninety-two [[dromons]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite book|title=The Generalship of Belisarius|last=Brogna|first=Anthony|publisher=Hauraki Publishing|year=2015}}</ref> Once the fleet arrived safely in North Africa, the Byzantine army disembarked and marched up the coast to [[Carthage]], the Vandal capital, the ships keeping pace with the army offshore.<ref name=":0" /> Contact with the fleet was lost however when it had to sail round [[Cape Bon]].<ref name=":0" />

===Preparation===
Ad Decimum ([[Latin]] for "''at the tenth [mile post]''"), was a marker along the Mediterranean coast road ten [[Mile#Roman mile|Roman mile]]s ({{convert|9.2|mi|km|0|abbr=}}) south of [[Carthage]]. Hearing of the Byzantine landing, Gelimer marched north from his position towards Ad Decimum.<ref name=":0" /> He divided his forces, sending 2,000 men under his nephew Gibamund to block one of the three roads to Carthage, the other two converging at Ad Decimum.<ref name=":0" />

Gelimer retained 5,000–6,000 men under his own command while his brother [[Ammatus]] approached from the north with 6,000–7,000 troops, Ammatus scouting ahead of his troops in person.<ref name=":0" /> At Ad Decimum there was a narrow defile where the Byzantines could be trapped.<ref name=":0" /> The Byzantines did not know the layout of the road network and would probably be surprised if an army appeared behind them.<ref name=":0" /> When the Byzantines advanced towards Carthage they would most likely try to go through the path blocked by Gibamund who was ordered to charge them.<ref name=":0" /> This was supposed to push the Byzantines back into the valley and disorganise them.<ref name=":0" /> Gelimer would advance into the valley and attack them from behind.<ref name=":0" />

When Belisarius landed in North Africa he knew the Vandals would move against him before he could reach Carthage.<ref name=":1" /> However he did not know the Vandal dispositions so he wanted to gain intelligence about them before giving battle.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://en.m.wikisource.org/wiki/History_of_the_Wars/Book_III|title=History of the Wars/Book III |website=en.m.wikisource.org|access-date=2019-11-28}}</ref><ref name=":5">{{Cite book|url=http://archive.org/details/procopiuswitheng04procuoft|title=Procopius, with an English translation by H.B. Dewing|last1=Procopius|last2=Dewing|first2=H. B. (Henry Bronson)|date=1914|publisher=London S. Heinemann|others=Robarts – University of Toronto}}</ref> At the time when Ammatus was scouting the location of the battle, Belisarius found a good spot for a fortified camp roughly four miles from Ad Decimum,<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> leaving his infantry there while he advanced with his cavalry.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Belisarius had not ordered the 300-strong contingent of scouts under John the Armenian, or the 600 Huns guarding his left flank to stop so they kept advancing while Belisarius was still with his encamping infantry.<ref name=":0" />

===Battle===
The battle started with two roughly simultaneous engagements between smaller Vandal and Byzantine units.<ref name=":0" />

One of these was between the Byzantine Hun mercenaries and the Vandals of Gibamundus. One of the roughly 600 Huns rode out in front of the rest when encountering the Vandals.<ref name=":0" /> Upon seeing this the Vandals stopped in their tracks allowing the Huns to charge and disperse them.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> They possibly did this because of fear of a trap, being stunned at the bravery of this Hun or being surprised upon seeing Byzantines so far away from the main road.<ref name=":0" /> They were also possibly scared of the Huns due to their reputation as great warriors.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> Thus the 600 Hun mercenaries defeated 2,000 Vandals and killed Gibamundus in combat.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":2">{{Cite book|title=The Dark Ages 476–918 A.D.|last=Oman|first=Charles}}</ref>

At roughly the same time Ammatus made an error that would cost him his life.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite book|title=History of the later Roman Empire: from the Death of Theodosius I to the Death of Justinian|last=Bury|first=J. B.}}</ref> Ammatus was scouting the battlefield with just a few men when he encountered the much stronger Byzantine vanguard under John, and was killed in the ensuing combat.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite book|title=Rome resurgent : war and empire in the age of Justinian|last=Heather, P. J. (Peter J.)|isbn=978-0-19-936274-5|location=New York|oclc=1007044617|year = 2018}}</ref> The rest of Ammatus' forces moved out of Carthage in small bands of at most thirty men, thinly stretching themselves over the road between Carthage and the battlefield.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> As these small groups in turn encountered the Byzantines they were quickly defeated and fled.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" />

By now a Byzantine contingent under a man called Solomon, sent to contact John, reached the scene where battle had taken place.<ref name=":0" /> They questioned local inhabitants to what took place there.<ref name=":0" /> Soon after Gelimer's main force came into sight, Solomon promptly informed Belisarius of the situation.<ref name=":0" /> Seeing the importance of a nearby hill, an ideal location for a camp, some of Gelimer's and Solomon's troops began to skirmish.<ref name=":0" /> The Byzantines had to attack uphill and against superior numbers quickly leading to defeat.<ref name=":0" /> The retreating Byzantines encountered 800 more Byzantine troops and reformed.<ref name=":0" /> Upon being informed of the current situation however, these 800 retreated to the safety of Belisarius’ main force.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":3" /> Reforming these troops and listening to their reports, Belisarius noticed that many Vandals had already been routed while the rest had halted.<ref name=":0" /> Rightly believing he outnumbered the Vandals, Belisarius moved rapidly on Ad Decimum.<ref name=":0" /> Procopius believed that if Gelimer had pursued the fleeing Byzantines he would have completely overrun Belisarius' unsuspecting contingent, while if he would have moved towards Carthage he would have cut the Byzantine army off from John's advance guard.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":3" /> The second option would have put Gelimer in a position to attack the weaker and unsuspecting Byzantine fleet from Carthage,<ref name=":0" /> and either outcome could have been disastrous for the Byzantines.<ref name=":0" /> Seeing only a few dead troops around the body of his brother Ammatas, Gelimer became convinced that the Byzantine troops led by Solomon had been only a small rear guard, and that an overwhelming attack by a much larger force earlier in the battle had forced Ammatas' troops to abandon their fallen commander.<ref name=":0" />  In the clear space around Carthage the Vandals would not have had surprise on their side and the outcome of engagement would be more in doubt,<ref name=":0" /> and as such he did not try to pursue the “overwhelming” Byzantine force.<ref name=":0" /> Instead, Gelimer elected to set up camp at the favorable position he had captured, gather intelligence, and wait for reinforcements from [[Sardinia]] to arrive rather than engage Belisarius (at this point still extremely vulnerable), who moved towards Carthage.<ref name=":0" />

When Belisarius attacked the unprepared Vandals from an unexpected direction, he quickly routed the Vandals who had fled away from Carthage in order to avoid being trapped between Belisarius and a potential other Byzantine force<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> (one under John indeed being present on that road).<ref name=":0" />

After this battle Carthage was left relatively lightly defended and was captured by the Byzantines.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" />
{{Gallery
|title=Development of the battle
|width=160
|height=170
|align=center
|File:Battle of Ad Decimum - Vandal plan.svg|Initial Vandal plan, with the projected entrapment of the Byzantine army.|File:Battle of Ad Decimum - First phase.svg|First phase, the Byzantine advance parties defeat the Vandal flanking detachments.|File:Battle of Ad Decimum - Second phase.svg|Second phase, Gelimer routs the ''foederati''.|File:Battle of Ad Decimum - Third phase.svg|Third phase, the final clash between Belisarius and Gelimer.}}

===Aftermath===
Belisarius camped near the site of the battle, not wanting to be too close to the city at night. The next day he marched on the city, with his wife 
[[Antonina (wife of Belisarius)|Antonina]] at his side, ordering his men not to kill or enslave the population (as was normal practice at the time) because he stated the people were actually Roman citizens under Vandal rule. They found the gates to the city open, and the army was generally welcomed. Belisarius went straight to the palace and sat on the throne of the Vandal King. He then set about rebuilding the fortifications of the city, and his fleet sought shelter in the [[Lake of Tunis]], five miles (8&nbsp;km) south of Carthage.

After a second defeat at the [[Battle of Tricamarum]] later in the year, the Vandal Kingdom was all but ended.

==Notes==
{{reflist}}

==References==
{{Refbegin}}
*{{Cite web|first=of Caesarea|last=Procopius|author-link=Procopius|title=De Bellis|trans-title=History of the Wars, Books III and IV|url=http://www.gutenberg.org/files/16765/16765-8.txt| date=2005|website=Gutenberg Project|page=1|access-date=3 July 2013}}
*{{Cite book 
 |last=Beck 
 |first=Sanderson 
 |url=http://1worldpeace.org/san.beck.org/AB12-GothsFranksJustinian.html 
 |title=Goths, Franks, and Justinian's Empire 476–610 
 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151010080330/http://1worldpeace.org/san.beck.org/AB12-GothsFranksJustinian.html
 |date=2004 
 |pages=628 
 |archive-date=10 October 2015
 |access-date=3 July 2013 
 |isbn=0-9717823-8-5 
 |website=1worldpeace.org 
 |publisher=World Peace Communications 
 |url-status=dead
 }}
{{Refend}}

==Further reading==
* Lord Mahon [[Philip Henry Stanhope, 5th Earl Stanhope]], ''The Life of Belisarius'', 1848. Reprinted 2006 (unabridged with editorial comments) Evolution Publishing, {{ISBN|1-889758-67-1}}. [http://www.evolpub.com/CRE/CREseries.html]

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Battle Of Ad Decimum}}
[[Category:Battles involving the Byzantine Empire|Ad Decimum]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Vandals|Ad Decimum]]
[[Category:530s conflicts]]
[[Category:Military history of Tunisia]]
[[Category:530s in the Byzantine Empire]]
[[Category:Vandalic War]]
[[Category:533]]
[[Category:Belisarius]]
[[Category:Battles involving the Alans]]