Marcellus ( el, Μάρκελλος) was an
East Roman (Byzantine) general during the early reign of Emperor
Justinian I (r. 527–565).
Biography
Marcellus is first mentioned by the 6th-century historian
Procopius as taking part under
Belisarius in the
Battle of Dara against the
Sassanid Persians in 530. He was one of the commanders of the Byzantine army's right wing. In the
Vandalic War of 533–534, he was one of the commanders of the ''
foederati
''Foederati'' (, singular: ''foederatus'' ) were peoples and cities bound by a treaty, known as ''foedus'', with Rome. During the Roman Republic, the term identified the ''socii'', but during the Roman Empire, it was used to describe foreign stat ...
'' detachments, and fought in the
Battle of Tricamarum and (presumably) in the
Battle of Ad Decimum, where the ''foederati'' were defeated with great loss by the Vandals.
[.]
After the conquest of the
Vandal Kingdom was complete, Marcellus remained in
Africa, and by 536 he was appointed to the post of ''dux
Numidia
Numidia ( Berber: ''Inumiden''; 202–40 BC) was the ancient kingdom of the Numidians located in northwest Africa, initially comprising the territory that now makes up modern-day Algeria, but later expanding across what is today known as Tunis ...
e'', while sharing command over the ''foederati'' of Numidia with Cyril. In summer 536, he set out to confront the rebel
Stotzas, but he convinced Marcellus's soldiers to desert, and Marcellus with the other officers sought
sanctuary at a local
church. Stotzas convinced them to surrender on guarantees for their safety, but as soon as they did so, they were executed.
References
Sources
*
536 deaths
6th-century Byzantine military personnel
Generals of Justinian I
Year of birth unknown
People of the Roman–Sasanian Wars
Vandalic War
Byzantine North Africa
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