Battle of Treviso

The Battle of Treviso or Battle of Tarbesium was an engagement in 541 AD between Ostrogoths (Goths) and Byzantines during the Gothic War (535–554).

Following the departure of Byzantine general Belisarius after his conquest of the Italian peninsula, the newly crowned King Ildibad reorganized the remaining Goths and sought to take the initiative. Justinian's aggressive taxation and the corruption among the remaining Byzantine leadership fueled the Gothic cause. Byzantine commander Vitalius, acting independently of the divided leadership, sought to counter the Goths before they became strong enough to pose a threat. Vitalius marched with Byzantine troops and a contingent of Heruli soldiers against Ildibad. At Treviso, the Goths won a decisive victory, forcing Vitalius to flee with only a few survivors and killing the Heruli leader. This success allowed Ildibad to extend his authority across the Po Valley. However, his subsequent actions angered the Goths, which led to his assassination.