Siege of Ravenna (539–540)

[1] In late 539[1][2] or early 540[1][3] Belisarius, victor of engagements like Dara, Ad Decimum and Rome, marched on Ravenna while Vitalius was already in the area.

[1] A large force, commanded by Magnus,[1] was sent to patrol the south bank of the Po River[1][3] and threaten Ravenna from another direction.

[1][3] For unknown reasons the river had fallen to such a low level that ships, meant to supply Ravenna, were unable to proceed and were subsequently captured by Vitalius’ forces.

[1][3][11] This was possibly caused by Byzantine agents or arranged by Matasuintha, queen of the Ostrogoths, who had been forced to marry Witigis.

[1][13] Uraias, a Gothic commander who had earlier fallen victim to the treachery of the Frank and been defeated in a surprise attack, now marched with an army of 4.000 men to relieve the city.

[1][11][13] When the Byzantines occupied the Cotian Alps, many of the families of Uraias’ soldiers came in danger of being captured, forcing him to march there instead.

[5] A message from Justinian arrived, a light peace-deal, offering Witigis kingship over the territory north of the Po as the emperor's vassal.

[1][13] The Gothic nobility was afraid of a peace-deal with the Byzantines as they would most likely be deported to the east of the empire, forced to fight the Sasanians.