Battle of Mons Lactarius
552 CE.
Shown on the map at 40.650°, 14.500°.
The Battle of Mons Lactarius took place in October 552 during the Gothic War (535–554) between Byzantine forces and the Ostrogoths (Goths) at Mount Lactarius near Mount Vesuvius in Italy. After the defeat and death of the Gothic King Totila at the Battle of Taginae, Teia was chosen as the new Gothic king, who attempted to gather allies and the remaining Gothic forces. The Byzantines, led by Chamberlain Narses, moved to besiege Cumae, where much of Totila's war chest resided. Following this news, Teia moved to break the siege, but Narses intercepted him in the rugged terrain near Mount Vesuvius. After two months of stalemate, the two sides engaged in open battle. Teia was killed in the fighting, effectively ending organized Gothic royal leadership. The remaining Gothic troops resisted for two days but then surrendered under negotiated terms. This victory ended the Gothic state, allowing the Byzantines to reestablish their authority in the Italian Peninsula.
Text from the Wikipedia article Battle of Mons Lactarius, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.