TRICAMERON, BATTLE OF (A.D. 535). This battle is one of the landmarks in the Emperor Justinian's (q.v.) series of campaigns by which Italy, Africa and Southern Spain were tem porarily recovered. In itself it was the decisive victory by which the army of the Eastern Roman empire overthrew the Vandal power in Africa, and in military history it has special significance as an outstanding illustration of the predominant power of cav alry during the 1,000 years which succeeded the overthrow of the Roman (infantry) legions at Adrianople (q.v.). Belisarius's in fantry was a day's march in rear of his cavalry when he encoun tered the Vandal army, under King Gelimer, assembled in order of battle. So great was Belisarius's faith in the combined fire power and mobility of his horse-archers that he accepted the risk of battle without waiting for his infantry. He took up a position behind a small stream, hoping that he might have the opportunity to launch his own stroke while the Vandals were entangled in the crossing, and to this end sent out small detachments to tease them into an advance. Finding that the enemy were too wary,
or too doubtful of success, to be drawn across the river, Belisarius took a more audacious risk—advancing his own centre through the stream as a bait. Thereupon the Vandals, still holding their centre back, moved their wings forward to envelop and assail the Roman centre during the passage. While the leading lines were locked in this close-quarter struggle, and the rear lines waiting to engage, Belisarius launched his own wings at them. The charge, having the advantage of impetus, shattered the Vandal wings. The Roman centre, if hard pressed for a brief time, had admir ably fulfilled its role of fixing the enemy. The rout of the Vandal wings uncovered their centre, which was then surrounded and almost annihilated by the Romans.