Stotzas

Roman control over Africa is not yet secure, despite Justinian's intentions and proclamations.

Belisarius had secured most of the provinces of Byzacena, Zeugitana and Tripolitania during his campaign, but further west, imperial control extends in a series of strongholds captured by the fleet along the coast as far as Constantine, while most of the inland areas of Numidia and Mauretania remain under the control of the local Moorish tribes, as indeed had been the case under the Vandal kings.

The Moors had initially acknowledged the Emperor's suzerainty and had given hostages to the imperial authorities, but they soon become restive and rise in revolt.

The first imperial governor, Belisarius' former domesticus Solomon, who, as exarch, combines the offices of both magister militum and praetorian prefect, is able to score successes against them and strengthen Roman rule in Africa, but his work is interrupted by a widespread military mutiny in Easter 536, caused by dissatisfaction of the soldiers with Solomon.

Solomon, together with Procopius, who works as his secretary, is able to escape to Sicily, which had just been conquered by Belisarius.

Solomon's lieutenants Martinus and Theodore are left behind, the first to try to reach the troops at Numidia, and the second to hold Carthage.

Upon hearing about the mutiny, Belisarius, with Solomon and one hundred picked men, sets sail for Africa.

Carthage is being besieged by nine thousand rebels, including many Vandals, under a certain Stotzas, who had served as a bodyguard of the general Martinus in the army under Belisarius.

The rebels aim to expel the imperial loyalists and establish Africa as a separate state, ruled by themselves.

Theodore is contemplating capitulation, when Belisarius appears.

The news of the famous general's arrival are sufficient for the rebels to abandon the siege and withdraw westwards.

Belisarius, although able to muster only two thousand men, immediately gives pursuit and catches up with and defeats the rebel forces at Membresa.

The bulk of the rebels, however, is able to flee, and continues to march towards Numidia, where Stotzas persuades most of the imperial garrison to join him, after murdering their officers; according to the historian Procopius, at this point two thirds of the Byzantine army in Africa had gone over to the rebel camp.

Belisarius himself is forced to return to Italy to prosecute the war against the Ostrogoths, and Justinian appoints his able cousin Germanus as magister militum to deal with the crisis.

He sends a mobile force of comitatenses, (mostly cavalry) and a elite guard.

Solomon returns to Constantinople.

Germanus has managed to win over many of the rebels to his side by appearing conciliatory and paying their arrears.

Eventually, in the spring of 537, the two armies clash at Scalae Veteres, resulting in a hard-won victory for Germanus.

Stotzas, abandoned by many of his allies, flees to the tribesmen of Mauretania.

Germanus has spent the past two years in reestablishing discipline in the army.

Finally, Justinian judges the situation to have been stabilized enough, and in 539 Germanus is replaced by Solomon, who carries on Germanus' work by pruning out of the army those of suspect loyalties and strengthening the network of fortifications.

This careful organization enables him to strike successfully against the Aurasii, evicting them from their mountain strongholds, and firmly establish Roman rule in Numidia and Mauretania Sitifensis.

Africa had enjoyed peace and prosperity for a few years, until the arrival of the great plague in about 542, during which the people of the province had suffered greatly.

At the same time, the arrogant behavior of some Roman governors had alienated the Mauri leaders, such as Antalas at Byzacena, and provoked them to rise up and raid Roman territory.

The renegade soldier Stotzas had been welcomed by the Mauri, given the daughter of a local prince in marriage, and allegedly raised to king in 541.

In 544, however, he and Antalas rebel against Constantinople’s rule.

So it is that during a battle with the Mauri at Cillium in Byzacena in 544, the Romans are defeated and Solomon himself killed.

Solomon is succeeded by his nephew, Sergius, who as dux of Tripolitania had been largely responsible for the Moorish uprising.

Sergius is both unpopular and of limited abilities, while the Mauri gather together under the leadership of Antalas.

The Moors, aided by Stotzas, are able to enter and sack the coastal city of Hadrumetum by trickery.

A priest named Paulus is able to retake the city with a small force without help from Sergius, who refuses to march forth against the Moors.

Despite this setback, the rebels roam the provinces at will, while the rural population flees to the fortified cities and to Sicily.

Areobindus, a man of senatorial rank and husband to his niece Praejecta but otherwise undistinguished, is sent by Justinian with a few men to Africa, not to replace Sergius, but to share command with him.

Sergius is entrusted with the war in Numidia, while Areobindus undertakes to subdue Byzacena.

Areobindus sends out a force under the able general John against Antalas and Stotzas.

Because Sergius does not come to their aid as requested, the Romans are routed at Thacia, but not before John mortally wounds Stotzas in single combat.

The effects of this disaster at least force Justinian to recall Sergius and restore unity of command in the hands of Areobindus.