"...Two kingdoms continued to excel at the clamor of war, and drive all their enemies before them. The Visigoths, having seized control of nearly all of Spain, were marching north into the heart of Europe. To thesouth, Vandals, under the hot African sun, now held all of the lower shore of the Mediterranean. Meanwhile, Emperor Justinian's dream of reconquering the West had blackened into a nightmare. So far, the year had seen his two prize generals, Belisarius and Narses, defeated by the barbarian kingdoms, and two of his provinces overrun..."
Burgundy runs red
The Visigoth general Vigdonic turned aside from his attack on the Franks to invade the lands of their enemies, the Burgundians. Twice thisyear, the Burgundians had thrown back Frankish invasions, so met the Visigoths with confidence. However, the cavalry of the invaders proved too much for the Burgundian warbands, and they were routed, the Visigoths seizing their province of Viennensis.
Franks die hard, die well
Unaware of the disaster in the south, the Burgundians in the northern Sequania met the third Frankish invasion of the year. The Burgundian warlord Scipuar grunted in admiration at the tenaciousness ofhis foes. Other kingdoms may have given up and made peace after their defeats. However, here was another Frankish general, Eloi, marching on him again -- even though he was outnumbered! His admiration did not temper his mercy, though, and Scipuar led his Burgundians to victory again, chasing the defeated Franks back across the border.
Gepids no slaves to the Slavs
Underneath the chilly pine forests of northern Europe, the Slavs marshaled for war under their leader Zwentibald. He hurled his columnsouth, in an attempt to seize the hills of Dacia from the Gepids. As in the summer, he was met by their warleader Asbadus. Although famous for their cavalry, it was the warbands of the Gepids who put the lighter-armed Slavs to flight. The cavalry slew many in the long rout back to the forests across the Dneister, though. It would be long before Zwentibald would be able to lead them to war, again.
Ostrogoths weather Byzantine wrath
Far south, on the shores of the Mediterranean, the hills of Dalmatiabuzzed with the rumor of the coming of Justinian's great general, Belisarius. Although the Ostrogoths had slain his lieutenant, now they had to face Justinian's best. In a swirling battle that lasted till sundown, the Ostrogoths and Byzantines were evenly matched. It was only when the Ostrogoth cavalry broke into the Byzantine camp, that Belisarius' army fell back from the field. Teias, who had slain Belisarius' friend Procopius last season, had weathered the general's vengeance. It wouldbe spring of next year before Belisarius' army could be organized for another attempt on Italy.
Narses stormed in the sands
Belisarius' chief rival at the court of Justinian, the eunuch Narses, was leading the eastern army into the deserts of Arabia. By burning oases towns as he found them, he was able to force the Arab general Arethas to fight. The rolling sand dunes masked much of Arethas' army, though, and Narses was caught unprepared for a fierce assault on his right flank. The Arab tribesmen cut down his skirmishers and overwhelmedone flank of his cavalry. Meanwhile, his spear and horse could not mount a successful attack against the tribesmen in the treacherous footing of the sands. Stung by losses and unable to reply, his army fled the field.
Egyptus 'Vandalized'
Narses' lieutenant in Egyptus, Bessas, had planned an attack against the Arabs of the hilly Hidjaz area. However, his scouts informed him that the Vandals of North Africa had chosen him as their next victim, and were galloping east. Bessas redeployed to face them, instead, and metthe army of Gaeseric in the farmlands in the Nile basin. The battle swung back and forth, each general fearing it lost. Finally, the impetuous Vandal horsemen prevailed. Bessas and the Byzantines retreated north to Syria, leaving rich Egyptus in Vandal hands.
Ostrogoths stub toe in Sicilia
Vandal arms were having success elsewhere, too. Still smarting from the Vandal seizure of Sicilia in Spring, the Ostrogothic general Goarled an army across the toe of Italy. Shortly after crossing the straits, he was met by the Vandal Gunderic. When the armies deployed, Gunderic chuckled at the scattered groupings and waved his horsemen forward. Unable to form up effectively, Goar's men were trampled by the Vandals. He fled, abandoning his baggage and losing many men in a disjointed recrossing of the straits.