Bessas - kariera Ostrogota w Bizancjum
Streszczenie
Among the commanders of Justinian I of barbarian origin, Bessas was the one who
certainly deserves special attention. He was born in Thrace, ca. 480 AD. His ethnicity is
controversial because of contradictions in sources (Procopius, Jordanes). He was most likely of
Gothic origin, which a Russian scholar E. C. Skshinskaya tried to prove in a convincing way.
Bessas descended from the Ostrogoths who did not leave for Italy along with Theodoric Amal
in 488. The family of Bessas was assimilated, still they did not forget their mother tongue.
Bessas’ military career started early. During the reign of Anastasius (503 AD) he had fought
in the Roman army against Persians. Then, under Justinian he continued his service in the East
in Arzacene and Martyropolis. It was then that he showed his military talent, but it was also
then that he was accused for the first time of private grabbing. In 535-540 he accompanied
Belisarius in Sicily where he fought with his kinsmen. He took part in the siege of Naples (he
was to negotiate the conditions of surrender in his native language), Nami campaign and
commanded the defense of Rome. On that last post he showed both much personal courage and
little farsightedness. It was then that the beginning of the conflict between him and Belisarius
could be observed, and this was not even soothed by the fact of saving the life of the latter by
Bessas. Later we shall find Bessas on the side of Belisarius’ rival, Narzes. When Belisarius was
called away from Italy, Bessas remained there but without any significant military success.
With Belisarius’ return to Italy (spring 545), Bessas took over the command of the
garrison of Rome. Procopius accuses him of taking this opportunity to multiply his fortune,
which he eventually lost when the Goths captured the city. According to the writer, Bessas was
to be so engaged in collecting goods that he did not care for defense of city walls nor did he
give support to the defenders. He would not pay enough attention to the rebelious spirits of
his men and therefore did not prevent the downfall of Rome. After that he managed to escape
and thus avoided captivity. It is not known what he was doing then, until 549 or early 550,
when he was appointed magister militum of Armenia. He waged a war against the Abasgi, who
were seeking agreement with the Persians and he defended Lasica from the latter. He was
famous for the capture of Petra in 551. Alas, again according to Procopius he soon himself
wasted the fruits of his victory, as he cared for contributions from the occupied territories
rather than for blocking of the passages from Georgia, which enabled a raid of Persian
commander, Mermeroes. Following further adversities, Bessas was deprived of command and
property and sent to Abkhasia. Although we often read of the wealth he collected, nothing
particular can be said about it.
Bessas’ career was typical of his times. He chose a military career, which is not strange,
because a civilian one would require good education he most probably lacked. Just like many other barbarian chiefs he saw his chance in the service for the Empire and decided to cut off
his tribal ties. Although he did not forget his native language, he never hesitated to fight
against his kinsmen and never tried to go on their side.
Bessas’ estimation is unequivocal. He was certainly a brave soldier and successful commander.
On the other hand many sources inform of him as a person who cared mainly for his
personal profit even at the cost of his duties. This opinion, however exaggerated, must contain
some truth. Although written by a historian who did not have the reasons to like a soldier
opposing his favorite Belisarius, yet his opinion is confirmed to some extent by Agatias and
Zacharias the Retor.