Battles & Campaigns · 533
Battle of Ad Decimum
Near Carthage and Tunis, Tunisia
What happened
A Byzantine army under Belisarius fought the Vandal army of King Gelimer. Emperor Justinian sent Belisarius to North Africa after Gelimer seized the Vandal throne. Gelimer planned an ambush at a narrow pass ten miles from Carthage, but his brother Ammatas arrived early and was defeated and killed. Gelimer stopped to mourn his brother instead of pressing on, and Belisarius rallied his cavalry and routed the Vandals.
Why it matters
Why it matters: It opened the road to Carthage. It was the beginning of the end of the Vandal kingdom.
What came next
Belisarius entered Carthage the next day without resistance. He defeated Gelimer again at Tricamarum in December 533, and Gelimer surrendered in March 534.
Timeline
- 19 May 530Gelimer seizes the Vandal throne.
- 13 September 533Belisarius wins at Ad Decimum.
- 15 December 533Belisarius wins at Tricamarum.
- March 534Gelimer surrenders.