Duke Xiang of Song vs Gelimer

Duke Xiang convened a meeting of feudal lords at Song to assert his role as hegemon. However, Chu's King Cheng attended and had Duke Xiang captured, humiliating him and undermining his authority.

Duke Xiang of Song fought the state of Chu at the Hong River. He refused to attack the Chu army while it was crossing the river, insisting on chivalrous warfare. His forces were defeated, and he was wounded, leading to Song's decline.

Duke Xiang died from injuries sustained at the Battle of Hongshui the previous year. His death marked the end of Song's brief attempt at hegemony and left the state weakened.

Gelimer overthrew his cousin King Hilderic, accusing him of incompetence and excessive deference to the Byzantine Empire. Gelimer imprisoned Hilderic and assumed the Vandal throne, initiating a reign that would face immediate external threats.

Gelimer's forces engaged the Byzantine army under Belisarius near Carthage. Despite initial success, the Vandals were defeated due to poor coordination. Gelimer fled, and Belisarius captured Carthage, effectively ending Vandal control of North Africa.

Gelimer made a final stand against Belisarius at Tricamarum, near Carthage. The Vandal army was decisively defeated, and Gelimer fled into the mountains. This battle marked the complete collapse of the Vandal Kingdom.

After months of siege in a mountain fortress, Gelimer surrendered to Belisarius. He was taken to Constantinople and paraded in Belisarius's triumph, a humiliating spectacle. Gelimer was later granted estates in Galatia and lived out his life in retirement.