Battle of Faventia

Part of the Gothic War

Date	Spring 542
Location	Faventia (modern Faenza), Italy
Result	Ostrogothic victory

Belligerents

Ostrogothic Kingdom

Byzantine Empire

Commanders and leaders

Totila

Constantian
Alexander

Strength

5,000

12,000

Wars of Justinian I

Iberian War Dara Satala Callinicum Vandalic War Ad Decimum Tricamarum Gothic War 1st Naples 1st Rome Verona Faventia Mucellium 2nd Naples 2nd Rome 3rd Rome Sena Gallica Taginae Mons Lactarius Volturnus Conquest of Spania Moorish Wars Mammes and Bourgaon Babosis and Zerboule Cillium Marta Fields of Cato Lazic War Phasis

In the spring of 542, at the Battle of Faventia (modern Faenza), an Ostrogothic army under king Totila scattered the larger Roman forces of generals Constantian and Alexander, beginning the resurgence of Gothic resistance to the Roman reconquest of Italy. Before the battle, Valaris, a gigantic Goth, challenged any Roman to do single combat with him. Valaris was slain by the Byzantine (Armenian) soldier Artabazes, who was also mortally wounded.