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Battle of Cillium |
year: 544 |
| A Byzantine defeat by Moors and death of the governor Solomon | ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ |
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enemy: Berbers
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location: In Cillium, modern Kasserine in west-central Tunisia.
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accuracy:
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battle type: Pitched battle |
war: Berber Tribes Rebellions |
modern country:
Tunisia |
| ▼ The Byzantines(emperor: Justinian I) | ▼ The Enemies | |
| Commander: | Solomon | Antalas (Berber king) |
| Forces: | ||
| Losses: |
| Background story: |
| The Moors of North Africa rebelled again in 543. After an uprising in Byzacena (central Tunisia), the governor of Carthage Solomon executed the brother of the chieftain Antalas, whom he held responsible and ceased the subsidies granted to Antalas. This was a serious mistake because alienated Antalas who was a powerful leader and until then a loyal friend of the Romans (who did not have many among the Moors). At the same time, Solomon’s nephew Sergius, newly named governor of Tripolitania, caused the outbreak of hostilities with the tribal confederation of the Leuathae when his men killed 80 of their leaders at a banquet. The rebellion spread quickly from Tripolitania to Byzacena, where Antalas joined it. Last-minute diplomatic overtures to the Leuathae failed, and the two armies clashed at Cillium, on the border of Numidia and Byzacena. |
The Battle: |
 Solomon and his bodyguard stood their ground and resisted but at last they were forced to retreat. Solomon's horse stumbled and fell in a ravine, wounding its rider. With the aid of his guards, Solomon remounted, but they were quickly overcome and were killed. |
Aftermath: |
| Solomon was succeeded by his nephew Sergius, who proved completely inadequate in dealing with the situation. The Moors launched a general revolt . |
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