Ability and loyalty carry Belisarius past early failures

Belisarius's attempt to build another frontier fort also failed under Persian pressure, although it may have diverted attention from work at Dara. Those setbacks did not end his career because Justinian continued to value his ability and loyalty. In 530 he became Master of Soldiers in the East, commanding one of the empire's five field armies. His senior legal secretary Procopius accompanied him and later wrote the detailed campaign account on which the battle narrative depends. By the time the Persian army approached, Belisarius had concentrated about 25,000 troops at Dara, an unusually large force for the period.