Aratius was an Armenian military commander of the 6th century whose brother was Narses.
18 Facts About Aratius
1.
2.
Aratius served at first the Sasanian Empire, then defected to the Byzantine Empire.
3.
Aratius is primarily known for his activities in the Iberian War and the Gothic War.
4.
Choricius of Gaza describes Aratius as originating from a good family and having distinguished brothers.
5.
Aratius is first credited with ending a revolt of religious dissenters in the vicinity of Caesarea.
6.
Aratius was then supposedly able to do so without resorting to force.
7.
Aratius is then credited as the strategos responsible for capturing an enemy fortress, which was considered impregnable.
8.
Aratius is thirdly mentioned leading a force of about 20 men in opening a pass which was held closed by Arab attacks.
9.
Aratius is next mentioning restoring Byzantine control over Iotabe, previously occupied by neighbouring tribesmen.
10.
Aratius was finally able to locate the stronghold of these tribesmen on the mainland, attack it and capture it.
11.
Aratius is particularly praised for the revenue brought in by Iotabe, through the customs paid there.
12.
Aratius was sent to the Gothic War in the Italian Peninsula, leading a group of reinforcements for Belisarius.
13.
Aratius might have been a magister militum or a comes rei militaris.
14.
Aratius probably arrived in the spring or summer of the year.
15.
Aratius was reportedly ordered by Belisarius to set his camp near Auximum with 1,000 men.
16.
The town was a stronghold of the Ostrogoths and Aratius' mission was to keep watch over their activities.
17.
Aratius presumably continued fighting the Gothic War, but his activities over the following decade are mostly unrecorded.
18.
In early 551, Aratius was one of the military commanders sent to face the South Slavs who were plundering the Balkans.