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“We will all be dead soon,” prevised centurion Millius, looking over the bulwarks at the barbarian army surrounding Rome in the year 536 C.E. He had good reasons to feel discouraged, since Romans were outnumbered 30 to 1 by the attackers. General Belisarius shook his head. “If we use our forces cleverly, we will prevail,” he replied. History tells us that the General was right, since he succeeded in defending Rome with 5,000 veteran Roman legionnaires versus the attack of 150,000 barbarians. The heavy losses inflicted by Belisarius on the attackers made them give up the siege of Rome three weeks later. 90.000 barbarians lost their life for the duration of their failed undertake to conquer Rome. When they retreated, Belisarius pursued them throughout Italy and finished off most of the survivors. How did the General manage to turn a desperate circumstance into a resounding victory? Belisarius’ scheme has been profusely studied by historians. The principles of action employed by the Romans in 536 C.E. may be commended to anybody facing a major crisis. First, Belisarius took prompt measures to stabilise the situation. When he heard that attackers were approaching, his legionnaires worked day and night to reinforce battlements and dig deep ditches to protect the foot of the ramparts. In addition, a thick chain was drawn all over the river in order to prevent enemy ships from entering the city. Second, he allocated minimum resources to cover necessary necessities. The General assigned each of his lieutenants with a little group of legionnaires to defend a queer area of the ramparts, giving instructions that no man will have to ever leave his post underneath any circumstances. Belisarius knew that he had to maintain his line of defence intact, since otherwise, Rome would fall into the attackers’ hands. Third, the General concentrated his forces on fighting the most urgent danger. He picked up an arch himself, drew the introductory arrow, and ordered the Romans to intent at the nearest attackers. The rain of arrows soon decimated the barbarians, making them retreat and permitting Belisarius to focus on the next problem. Fourth, Belisarius maintained his calm, shifting his fixed resources from one pressing emergency to the next. He kept his presence of mind in the middle of the dead and wounded, identifying the most urgent problem to be addressed at each moment. By moving his remaining forces speedily from one critical point to the next, the General multiplied their effectiveness. Fifth, as soon as he sensed an opportunity, he took the initiative. Each time that Roman archers drove an attack making oppositions flee, Belisarius ordered to open the gates and had his cavalry pursue the barbarians, causing heavy losses amongst them. During 1400 years, Belisarius’ scheme has proved it is effectiveness on innumerable occasions. Stabilising your situation, addressing your most pressing problems, keeping calm, shifting your resources as needed, and taking initiative are the key principles to turn around difficult situations. Belisarius’ wisdom holds lessons that we all may employ in our own lives. |
