In the East, the famous Belisarius, an Illyrian of plebeian birth,
fought for Justinian against the Persian king Chosroes I. (or
Nushirvan), who reigned A.D. 531-579. Justinian purchased peace by
payment of tribute to this Oriental despot, whose empire extended from
the Red Sea to the Indus.
In the West, Justinian’s arms had great success. In 534 the Vandal
kingdom in Africa was brought to an end by the victories of Belisarius.
In 535 Belisarius conquered Sicily, and from 535-540, and again from
541-544, fought the Goths in Italy, until the jealousy of his master
recalled him.
His successor in command, Narses, completed the overthrow of the
Ostrogothic kingdom in Italy by his campaigns in 552-553. Under
Justinian, the Visigoths were driven out of the south of Spain, so that
there was for a time a revived Roman Empire of the West, embracing
nearly the whole of the Mediterranean coasts. Justinian died in 565, and
a speedy change came in Italy.