Gli antefatti della Guerra Vandalica: Procopio e la marginalizzazione dell’attività diplomatica imperiale

According to Procopius of Caesarea, the East Roman Empire was able to defeat the Vandals in 533 mainly thanks to Belisarius and his brilliant leadership. However, Procopius’ works are deeply influenced by his focus on Belisarius and military campaigns, neglecting the important role played by imperial diplomacy. Before the outbreak of the war, Justinian was able to stir up rebellions in Tripolitania and Sardinia, which forced the Vandals to send their fleet away from Carthage. Moreover, he entered into an alliance with the Ostrogoths, who provided the East Roman fleet with provisions and occupied the strategical harbour of Lilybaeum. Finally, Belisarius was informed on the whereabouts of the Vandalic fleet by an imperial agent shortly before landing. Without an extensive diplomatic groundwork and fresh intelligence, the general would have hardly been able to win the war in little more than three months.