Belisarius, general of the East Roman emperor Justinian based in Constantinople, lands in North Africa in 533 with sixteen thousand men and within a year destroys the Vandal kingdom.

Local opposition delays full imperial control of the region for twelve years, however, and when it comes it is but a shadow of the control exercised by Rome.

Although an impressive series of fortifications are built, imperial rule is compromised by official corruption, incompetence, military weakness, and lack of concern in Constantinople for African affairs.

As a result, many rural areas revert to Berber rule.