Belisarius

Flavius Belisarius (c. 505 – 565) was a general of the Byzantine Empire and an instrumental figure in Justinian I's project in conquering the territory of the Western Roman Empire.

In 536, he led his troops through the Porta Asinaria and retook Rome from the Ostrogoths. Belisarius succesfully defended the city from the Ostrogoths from 537-538. Despite this, the Ostrogoth king Totila was able to retake Rome a few years later.

According to a legend from the Middle Ages, Belisarius was blinded by Justinian and seen as a beggar at the Porta Pinciana in Rome. When questioned about his involvement, Justinian denied it, before abruptly changing the subject to the rebuilding of the Hagia Sophia.

Reference

• Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood