The battles of the AD Decimum opposes the September 13rd 533 the army vandal of Gélimer and the Byzantine army of Bélisaire. This battle and the events of the year which followed (sometimes called Second battle of Carthage) traditionally mark the beginning of the end for the Vandales and the beginning of the Western reconquest of the emperor Justinien.

Countryside

Bélisaire had unloaded in Africa three months before, with 15.000 cruel mercenaries. Quickly, Gélimer had given up Carthage, occupied without blow to férir by the Byzantine general, before putting the seat at it and cutting the aqueduct feeding the city.

The AD Decimum (in Latin, the post office of the Ten miles) is a simple reference mark on the Mediterranean coast with ten miles in the south of Carthage. Gélimer approach of the city with approximately 11.000 warriors, vis-a-vis the army of Bélisaire, including/understanding approximately 17.000 men, established on a strong position on the road of Carthage, close to the AD Decimum.

Battle

Gélimer divides its forces, and sends two miles men ordered by his Gibamond nephew to overflow the army of Bélisaire, which advances in columns along the road. Another body, ordered by the brother of Gélimer, Ammatas, holds a ready procession of the AD Decimum. According to the vandal plan, the 7000 men of Gélimer were to fold back themselves on the Roman side and to cut any retirement.

But the mission of Gibamond fails, its body of 2000 being impotent vis-a-vis the hunnic troops romano- which disperses it; Gibamond is killed in the battle. Ammatas also fails, and does not succeed in preserving the procession. He also is killed in the battle. Its men are continued by the Romans to the doors of Carthage.

Other side, the principal body under Gélimer faces largest of the forces of Bélisaire, along the main roads. The cavalry of Bélisaire, though more than the cavalry vandal, is exceeded, the riders vandals being quite higher than the combat. It seems whereas the Vandals can gain the battle.

But when Gélimer arrives at the position of Ammatas and discovers that his/her brother died, he is upset, and cannot give the order of the attack who would have destroyed the remainders of the disorientated Roman army, and would have cut in parts the elements huns and Roman parties towards Carthage after having beaten Ammatas and Gibamond. Instead of that, the men lower their guard while Gélimer buries his/her brother on the battle field.

Benefitting from the respite, Bélisaire gathers its forces in the south of the AD Decimum and lance a counter-attack, which pushes back the Vandals and overcomes them.

Continuations

Bélisaire camps close to the battle field, not wanting to be established near the town of night. The following day, it goes on the city, prohibiting to kill or reduce in Esclavage the inhabitants of Carthage, from now on Roman citizens. It finds the doors of the city opened, and its army is well accommodated. Bélisaire goes to the royal palace and assoit on the throne of the king vandal.

It raises the fortifications of the city, and establishes its fleet in the Tunis Lake, with eight kilometers in the south of Carthage.

The Vandals are definitively overcome after the Bataille of Tricamarum, on December 15th.