"...As the summer sun melted the snows on the mountain tops along the empire's eastern border, the eunuch Narses ordered a two pronged invasion of Persia. Narses' army picked its way into the mountains of Hiberia, while his lieutenant's force climbed into the highlands of Armenia. In Greece, General Maurice continued his march north against the Vandals. Not far away, a Vandal fleet put in along the pirate-infested coast of Dalmatia. Their aim was to trap the Empress Theodora's army, in cooperation with the long anticipated Visigoth invasion of the Alps. Meanwhile, the Visigoths were also stirring in Spain, fighting two battles with the Byzantine clients, the Basques. And finally, a massive Gepid invasion once again threatened the final Lombard outpost in Savia..."
Doomed Counterattack Fails
The Persian garrison of Hiberia, seeing Narses' massive invasion force ranged across the slopes, knew hope was slim. Rather than stand and be slaughtered, they countered with an assault with their left wing, while holding in the center and on the right. Despite the center and right's success, the left was encircled and swamped by greater numbers of Byzantine cavalry. The army broke, surrendering Hiberia to Narses.
Persians Lose Armenia
The situation was the same for the Persian satrap of Armenia, Mermeroes. His army was surprised by Leo's sudden assault, fighting back bravely, but eventually fleeing the field. In one season's stroke, the Persian Empire had lost more territory to the Byzantines than they had the preceding centuries.
Vandals Hold Line in Epirus
A tougher task awaited General Maurice in the mountains of Epirus. The Vandal warlord Heleric had ample warning and awaited the Byzantines on ground of their choosing. The battle raged across the slopes all day, both sides suffering, until Maurice was slain. the loss of Justinian's rising star in the West was too much for the Byzantines, who withdrew, carrying the body of their beloved general with them.
Theodora's Line Uncrossable
The tables were turned in equally mountainous Dalmatia, where the Empress Theodora and her commanders waited across a river, squarely in the path of the Vandal march. The warlord Gaeseric ordered an immediate charge all along the front, but the terrain -- steep hills and a strongly flowing river -- broke up the attack. Gaeseric's left wing was thrown back across the river and routed, the Byzantine pursuers falling upon the exposed troops in the Vandal center. Gaeseric's army fled, followed back to Epirus by their cursing general.
Empress Eludes Grasp
It had been more than a year since the Visigoth armies were on the march eastward. Now, in cooperation with their Vandal allies, they drove into the Alps, hoping to trap Theodora and her army. She was a week's march ahead, though, leaving behind only a small rearguard. The Visigoths swatted it aside, only to find the trail gone cold. All was not wasted, though, as the key province of Venetia was once again in their hands.
Basques Beaten Back
The Basque invasion of Segovia was the largest Euderic had seen -- their army stretched the length of the battlefield in a huge crescent. When Euderic directed his cavalry to concentrate on the Basque left, the enemy responded with an immediate charge all along the front. The Visigoth columns wheeled into line at the last moment and punched through the loosely ordered foot soldiers. The tribesmen fought bravely, cutting off and destroying several squadrons, but were outmatched and driven from the province.
Former Gift Reclaimed
Years ago, the Visigoths had encouraged their then allies, the Basques, to take Gallaecia (crushing a Frankish invasion in the process). Now that they were in the pay of the Byzantine enemy, the Visigoth warlord Arturvidic was happy to drive the turncoats from former Visigothic land. The Basques, out of their normal steep hillside haunts, were unable to defend the plains and fled Gallaecia.