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Description
Battle of Parma was one of the last engagements fought during the Great Gothic war over control of the Italian peninsula.In 553 giant Frankish army(containing however also a lot of of non-frankish warriors)crossed the Appenines as part of a deal Frankish realm had made only shortly before with now dead last Ostrogothic King Teia to help the losing Goths against Justinianic invasion of Italy.

Frankish contingent who fought at Parma was commanded by the Alamanni chieftain Butilinus.His opponent was lower rank Roman officer Fulcaris-an hired Heruli tribe commander leading mostli other Herulians(there were around 3000 Herulians in the army of Narses at the time of the great battle fought at Taginae not so long before)but also some regular Roman soldiers he persuaded to conduct risky attempt to rip off city of Parma from the Frankish hands.

Fulcaris was a typical field commander excellent when leading his men from the front in the line of battle but he lacked insight of the real generals and was not optimal commander when leading bigger operations on his own.He attempted to conquer city of Parma with an unexpected attack using only smaller forces but he neglected reconnaissance while Frankish leader Butilinus did not.

Butilinus knew about his plans ahead and set an ambush on the Roman contingent hiding part of his warriors into old amphitheatre of Parma and at other places.When Fulcaris smaller contingent get into position where it was almost completely encircled by the Frankish forces Butilinus ordered general attack.Most of the Roman soldiers instantly panicked and tryed to run away because it was evident enemy is hopelessly superior in numbers but Fulcaris himself(who was allegedaly more keen to die in combat than to report his failure to Narses) decided to take his last stand although he could get out of danger.He covered his back by a tombstone(that it was a tombstone of some ancient gladiator is only my suggestion)and fought valiantly alongside with others of his men who also decided to stay or simply had to stay having any escape route cut off.After killing many frankish warriors Fulcaris suffered serious wound to his head by an axe and had his body pierced by many angon javelins-those he get in his chest eventually killing him.This was the only bigger defeat Roman Italian army had suffered during final campaign of the Gothic war led by Narses.

Description
Battle of Parma was one of the last engagements fought during the Great Gothic war over control of the Italian peninsula.In 553 giant Frankish army(containing however also a lot of of non-frankish warriors)crossed the Appenines as part of a deal Frankish realm had made only shortly before with now dead last Ostrogothic King Teia to help the losing Goths against Justinianic invasion of Italy.

Frankish contingent who fought at Parma was commanded by the Alamanni chieftain Butilinus.His opponent was lower rank Roman officer Fulcaris-an hired Heruli tribe commander leading mostli other Herulians(there were around 3000 Herulians in the army of Narses at the time of the great battle fought at Taginae not so long before)but also some regular Roman soldiers he persuaded to conduct risky attempt to rip off city of Parma from the Frankish hands.

Fulcaris was a typical field commander excellent when leading his men from the front in the line of battle but he lacked insight of the real generals and was not optimal commander when leading bigger operations on his own.He attempted to conquer city of Parma with an unexpected attack using only smaller forces but he neglected reconnaissance while Frankish leader Butilinus did not.

Butilinus knew about his plans ahead and set an ambush on the Roman contingent hiding part of his warriors into old amphitheatre of Parma and at other places.When Fulcaris smaller contingent get into position where it was almost completely encircled by the Frankish forces Butilinus ordered general attack.Most of the Roman soldiers instantly panicked and tryed to run away because it was evident enemy is hopelessly superior in numbers but Fulcaris himself(who was allegedaly more keen to die in combat than to report his failure to Narses) decided to take his last stand although he could get out of danger.He covered his back by a tombstone(that it was a tombstone of some ancient gladiator is only my suggestion)and fought valiantly alongside with others of his men who also decided to stay or simply had to stay having any escape route cut off.After killing many frankish warriors Fulcaris suffered serious wound to his head by an axe and had his body pierced by many angon javelins-those he get in his chest eventually killing him.This was the only bigger defeat Roman Italian army had suffered during final campaign of the Gothic war led by Narses.