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The Gothic War
The War that Reshaped the Political Future of Europe
“Jacobsen brings to the story an intimate knowledge of Italy. The battles took place on terrain Jacobsen knows well. . . Recommended.”— Choice
“Jacobsen provides an operational history of Justinian’s campaign. Throughout he traces the military strategies and tactical intrigues of leaders such as the Roman general Belisarius and the Goth leader Totila.”— Publishers Weekly
“Jacobsen knows the sites he writes about, he has read Procopius diligently . . . and his military reconstruction can be faulted only in attributing to both sides rather better command and control than the ancient armies could generally manage. . . . Jacobsen has offered wargamers a tool they will appreciate.”— The Classical Review
A period of stability in the early sixth century A.D. gave the Eastern Roman emperor Justinian an opportunity to recapture parts of the Western Empire which had been lost to invading barbarians in the preceding centuries. The climactic conflict over Italy between 535 and 554—the Gothic War—decided the political future of Europe, holding in its balance the possibility that the Roman Empire might rise again. While large portions of the original territory of the ancient Roman Empire were recaptured, the Eastern Empire was incapable of retaining much of its hard-won advances, and soon the empire once again retracted. As a result of the Gothic War, Italy was invaded by the Lombards who began their important kingdom, the Franks began transforming Gaul into France, and without any major force remaining in North Africa, that territory was quickly overrun by the first wave of Muslim expansion in the ensuing century. Written as a general overview of this critical period, The Gothic War: Justinian’s Campaign to Reclaim Italy opens with a history of the conflict with Persia and the great Roman general Belisarius’s successful conquest of the Vandals in North Africa. After an account of the Ostrogothic tribe and their history, the campaigns of the long war for Italy are described in detail, including the three sieges of Rome, which turned the great city from a bustling metropolis into a desolate ruin. In addition to Belisarius, the Gothic War featured many of history’s most colorful antagonists, including Rome’s Narses the Eunuch, and the Goths’ ruthless and brilliant tactician, Totila. Two appendices provide information about the armies of the Romans and Ostrogoths, including their organization, weapons, and tactics, all of which changed over the course of the war.
“Jacobsen brings to the story an intimate knowledge of Italy. The battles took place on terrain Jacobsen knows well. . . Recommended.”— Choice
“Jacobsen provides an operational history of Justinian’s campaign. Throughout he traces the military strategies and tactical intrigues of leaders such as the Roman general Belisarius and the Goth leader Totila.”— Publishers Weekly
“Jacobsen knows the sites he writes about, he has read Procopius diligently . . . and his military reconstruction can be faulted only in attributing to both sides rather better command and control than the ancient armies could generally manage. . . . Jacobsen has offered wargamers a tool they will appreciate.”— The Classical Review
A period of stability in the early sixth century A.D. gave the Eastern Roman emperor Justinian an opportunity to recapture parts of the Western Empire which had been lost to invading barbarians in the preceding centuries. The climactic conflict over Italy between 535 and 554—the Gothic War—decided the political future of Europe, holding in its balance the possibility that the Roman Empire might rise again. While large portions of the original territory of the ancient Roman Empire were recaptured, the Eastern Empire was incapable of retaining much of its hard-won advances, and soon the empire once again retracted. As a result of the Gothic War, Italy was invaded by the Lombards who began their important kingdom, the Franks began transforming Gaul into France, and without any major force remaining in North Africa, that territory was quickly overrun by the first wave of Muslim expansion in the ensuing century. Written as a general overview of this critical period, The Gothic War: Justinian’s Campaign to Reclaim Italy opens with a history of the conflict with Persia and the great Roman general Belisarius’s successful conquest of the Vandals in North Africa. After an account of the Ostrogothic tribe and their history, the campaigns of the long war for Italy are described in detail, including the three sieges of Rome, which turned the great city from a bustling metropolis into a desolate ruin. In addition to Belisarius, the Gothic War featured many of history’s most colorful antagonists, including Rome’s Narses the Eunuch, and the Goths’ ruthless and brilliant tactician, Totila. Two appendices provide information about the armies of the Romans and Ostrogoths, including their organization, weapons, and tactics, all of which changed over the course of the war.
352 pages, Hardcover
First published June 26, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
October 20, 2012
The Gothic War by Torsten Cumberland Jacobsen is an easy to read and excellent account of the Eastern Roman Empire’s campaign to reclaim Italy from the Ostrogoths. Roman armies made up of barbarians under the leadership of Belisarius, one of the greatest Roman generals, and later Narses (the Eunuch), fought for over twenty years to conquer Italy and return it to Emperor Justinian in Constantinople.
The book starts off with Belisarius’s successful campaign in North Africa against the Vandals, then his move to Sicily before his final invasion of Italy. We read of the many battles, skirmishes and sieges up and down the boot of Italy and of the numerous battles and sieges for Rome, the eternal City.
The book relies heavily on the five volumes of Procopius’s History of the Wars but the telling of the tale is excellent and so easy to read that it drags you into the history with ease. The book provides a number of detailed maps and a small number of illustrations (too little really) and a detailed appendix on the ‘men, equipment and tactics’ of the contending armies (Roman & Goth) which is well worth the effort to read.
Overall this book would make an excellent addition to any library of those readers who have an interest in this period of history.
The book starts off with Belisarius’s successful campaign in North Africa against the Vandals, then his move to Sicily before his final invasion of Italy. We read of the many battles, skirmishes and sieges up and down the boot of Italy and of the numerous battles and sieges for Rome, the eternal City.
The book relies heavily on the five volumes of Procopius’s History of the Wars but the telling of the tale is excellent and so easy to read that it drags you into the history with ease. The book provides a number of detailed maps and a small number of illustrations (too little really) and a detailed appendix on the ‘men, equipment and tactics’ of the contending armies (Roman & Goth) which is well worth the effort to read.
Overall this book would make an excellent addition to any library of those readers who have an interest in this period of history.
October 31, 2018
An excellent and in depth history of the Gothic war, with a particular emphasis on military tactics. Actually goes in depth into battle tactics and includes diagrams to help the reader follow the course of battle. The Gothic War is a fascinating subject for those interested in siege warfare, and the exploits of one of history's greatest generals makes Jacobsen's book an engaging read. Highly recommend!
March 28, 2020
A very well written history book about the Gothic Wars--Belisarius, the First Siege of Rome, the Second Siege of Rome, and more. He uses many ancient sources (as well as modern sources) to explain the Gothic War, but retells the action, politics, mishaps, and tactics in a concise yet detailed way, never straying from the topic. He writes eloquently, making this book an easy and engaging read.
By far, one of the better historical books I have read!
By far, one of the better historical books I have read!
March 12, 2025
A magnificent, in depth run down of the Gothic War, an often overlooked period of Roman history that saw the complete reconquest by the Eastern Romans (Byzantines) of Italy. Jacobsen definitely has a pro-Roman sentiment but that’s to be expected from a popular history book and he certainly has some sympathy for the Goths and for the native inhabitants of the Italian peninsula who were very negatively affected by the long, drawn-out war.
April 12, 2020
An account of the Roman conquest of Italy in the period of Justinian. Other war theaters are also described (North Africa, the East and so on). It is a detailed account and progression of a long war between Rome and Ostrogoths in light of war management and economical conditions. An enjoyable read if you want to get better acquinted with this part of 6th century Roman history.
May 22, 2019
Well researched although it is dry at times.
August 23, 2020
Decent book
May 4, 2025
Belisarius was once in a millennium
April 2, 2017
This book is one excellent source of information about the Gothic War. It can easily be read by a non-expert fan of history. There is not prerequisite background material for understanding the book, as it offers chapters that address the history of the combatants, their warfare tactics, and the political situation before the war took place. The description of the first siege of Rome during the war is the best I have ever read in a history or a historical novel book. I think every fan of Byzantine history will love it.
December 24, 2014
Very engaging book about an obscure conflict from just after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews