WI: Belisarius takes over ERE?

What if Justinian dies in 542 and Belisarius, riding a wave of discontent, is risen to the purple? Could he save the Italian campaign? If so could the ERE hold onto Italy for a long time?
 
What if Justinian dies in 542 and Belisarius, riding a wave of discontent, is risen to the purple? Could he save the Italian campaign? If so could the ERE hold onto Italy for a long time?
It would probably need Theodora to persuade Antonia to persuade him for him to do it at any point, of course Theodora in actuality predeceased Justinian so its difficult. I cant see him wanting the job or being volunteered by his own forces the way some other imperial claimants had been in Roman history. .
 
I think you'd have more success if Justinian and Theodora both died in 535 shortly after the Triumph and Belisarius being made Consul. His popularity is at its peak.

If you had Justinian die, his family has some family members, and either Belisarius could be Emperor, or Co-Emperor with an heir, or even an early Tzimiskes and later return the Empire to the Justinian Dynasty.

A Belisarius in 535, sworn to conquer Italy for Justinian, suddenly has many more resources because he is literally Emperor. That should lead to a frighteningly fast conquest.

Now, Belisarius, being a Warrior-Emperor may well be a good Emperor to face off against Khosrau. Simply because he could be more intimidating, even before a lightning conquest of Italy. I'd say that he'd probably invade Italy, put someone like Narses in command of the region (or someone he trusts more), and ensuring that any war with Khosrau ends painfully for Persia - perhaps taking his vow to Restore the Empire to include Trajans Mesopotamia. However, Belisarius did earn a reputation for honour, and that could go a long way if maintained in Mesopotamia, towards ensuring it can be held.
 
Maybe, instead of the eastern roman empire, he takes the west? He could have, very easily, by accepting the crown offered to him by the goths. (seriously accepting it, anyway.) But, considering belisarius was a pretty loyal general, justinian would have to do something truly heinous to anger him enough to do something like that.
 
What exactly was Belisarius' administrative skills?

Belisarius' often depicted as a bad politician,but could the fact that he survived under Justinian show that perhaps he's not as bad as people thought in that department?
 
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