WI Ostrogoths win Battle of Taginae in 552 AD?

In 552 AD a Byzantine army under Narses confronted the Ostrogoth King Totila near Taginae in Italy... Totila was deliberately delaying the battle waiting for reinforcements... When his reinforcements arrived led by Teias, Totila broke formation and retired. Narses, wary of a possible ruse, permitted his troops to refresh themselves without leaving their positions. Totila, apparently hoping to take his enemy by surprise, launched a sudden large-scale mounted assault upon the Byzantine center. Totila probably sought to close with the enemy as fast as possible in order to avoid the effects of the formidable Byzantine archery. Narses was prepared for such move, however, and ordered the archers massed on his flanks to incline their front towards the centre so that his battle-line became crescent-shaped. Caught in the enfilading fire from both sides, the Ostrogothic cavalry sustained high casualties and their attack faltered. Towards early evening Narses ordered a general advance, and the Ostrogoths broke and fled. Although accounts vary, it was probably during the subsequent rout that Totila was killed.
WI Narses was caught of guard in this assault and his army was annihilated? How is that altering History? any thoughts?
 
Top