Belisarius reconquered North Africa, Italy, and parts of Spain for the Byzantine Empire with armies too small for the task. Emperor Justinian rewarded him with suspicion, recall, and eventual disgrace. He may be the finest military commander who never ruled.

This episode follows Belisarius from his first victories against the Persians through the reconquest of Rome, examining why Justinian repeatedly undermined the general who made his reign glorious.

• How he destroyed the Vandal kingdom with just 15,000 men
• The Gothic War and the devastating five-year siege of Italy
• His wife Antonina and her complicated role in palace intrigue
• The legend of his blinding and begging and whether any of it is true