Opening Moves - Deployment - The Battle

Opening Moves

The Battle of Taginae brought an end to the long struggle between Byzantium and the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy. In the Spring of 552, Justinian's eunuch general Narses recruited a large army of Byzantines (East Romans) and barbarians, including Lombards and Heruli. He moved down the Via Flaminia, heading for Rome. The Ostrogothic king, Totila, advanced to intercept him at Taginae (the modern Gualdo Tadino). He arrived in time to force Narses to fight, or else make a perilous retreat back over the Apennines.

Totila, aware that he was outnumbered, and awaiting reinforcements, at first negotiated with Narses, then advanced on the Byzantines, hoping to take them by surprise. On one flank was a small hill that offered the prospect of turning the Byzantine left, but Narses got to it first, occupying it with just fifty men, who held a defile there. Totila sent cavalry against them but the Byzantine infantry succeeded in holding them off.

Totila now decided to await his reinforcements - about 2,000 horsemen. Both generals tried to inspire their men with speeches, Narses emphasising the Byzantine superiority in numbers, Totila the importance of the battle, and the mercenary nature of their opponents.

Deployment

Narses formed his army in a defensive arc, dismounting his Lombards and Heruli to form the centre, and flanking them with his Byzantine cavalry. Archers were deployed in front of the cavalry. On his extreme left, Narses posted about 1,500 additional cavalry.

The Ostrogothic deployment was somewhat simpler, with the cavalry - accounting for at least half of Totila's force - deployed en masse opposite the Byzantine centre, and the infantry behind them (see map below). Totila's army included many Byzantine deserters - actually German federates, attracted by the Ostrogothic king's reputation.

The Battle

There now followed a scene that might have come from Homer, or one of the battles of the Heroic Age. A Byzantine deserter in the Ostrogothic army rode out and issued a challenge to single combat, but was defeated, whereupon Totila himself rode out in front of his army and performed either a war dance or an elaborate series of equestrian exercises, admired by the men of both armies.

The Gothic reinforcements now arrived and, after both sides had taken their midday meals, the Ostrogothic cavalry suddenly moved forward, intending to sweep the Byzantine centre from the field in a single charge. As the Goths advanced, Narses swung his foot archers inwards. The Goths charged into a funnel formed by the bowmen, and were shot at from both flanks as they moved forwards, suffering heavy casualties.

The initial charge faltered but was followed by repeated attempts, which grimly foreshadowed those of the French chivalry at Crecy eight centuries later. While the Lombards held the centre, the Byzantine cavalry on the far left circled around the Gothic host and attacked them in the flank.

By early evening, the Ostrogothic cavalry was in disarray and Totila himself may have been wounded. Narses ordered a general advance. The Goths at first gave ground and then began to flee. Their own infantry failed to open its ranks to let them through but were carried away in the rout. Six thousand Goths were slain. Totila himself was killed either in the battle or in the subsequent pursuit.

It was the last act of Ostrogothic resistance in Italy, which now reverted briefly to Roman rule. Ironically, when the Byzantines were again driven out of Northern Italy, it was by their erstwhile allies, the Lombards.

Mark Furnival, 2000