The History of Rome 177- The Burning Ships
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Apr 22, 2012 Rome and Constantinople launch a massive campaign to reclaim North Africa from the Vandals, only for a disastrous naval showdown to turn the tide. Back in Italy, Anthemius struggles against Ricimer, Gothic expansion, and a secret plot involving Olybrius, as imperial alliances grow ever more tangled.
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Ricimer's De Facto Rule
- After Liberius Severus died, Ricimer ruled Italy without appointing a western emperor for nearly two years.
- His dominance forced Constantinople to intervene to restore a puppet it could trust.
Two-Bird Political Move
- Emperor Leo installed Anthemius to secure military leadership and neutralize a dangerous rival.
- The appointment aimed to solve the Vandal threat while removing a political challenger in one move.
Massive Cost And Scale
- Leo funded an enormous armada and army, allegedly spending vast amounts of gold and silver to build the fleet.
- The campaign represented a near-bankruptcy gamble to reconquer North Africa.