Battle of Faventia

In the spring of 542, at the Battle of Faventia (modern Faenza), an Ostrogothic army under king Totila scattered the larger Roman forces of generals Constantian and Alexander,^[1] beginning the resurgence of Gothic resistance to the Roman reconquest of Italy. Before the battle, Valaris, a gigantic Goth, challenged any Roman to do single combat with him. Valaris was slain by the Byzantine soldier Artabazes, who was also mortally wounded.

Battle of Faventia
Part of the Gothic War
Date Spring 542 Location Faventia (modern Faenza), Italy Result Ostrogothic victory
Belligerents
Ostrogothic Kingdom	Byzantine Empire
Commanders and leaders
Totila	Constantian Alexander
Strength
5,000[1]	12,000

For similar terms, see Battle of Faenza (disambiguation).

Battle

The key moment during the battle, was, according to Procopius, when the Roman rear was violently attacked by some 300 men of the Ostrogothic cavalry.^[1]