Liao Hua vs Totila

Liao Hua joined Liu Bei's forces during the Yellow Turban Rebellion, fighting against the rebel armies. This marked the beginning of his long military career, which spanned from the Han dynasty's decline to the fall of Shu.

Liao Hua served as a general under Zhuge Liang during the Northern Expeditions against Wei. He commanded rear-guard forces and participated in several battles, including the defense of Hanzhong.

Liao Hua was one of the last surviving generals of Shu when Wei invaded in 263. He advised against surrender but was overruled. After the fall of Shu, he was taken to Luoyang as a prisoner, where he died the following year.

Totila led a successful campaign to reconquer southern Italy from the Byzantines. He captured Naples and other key cities, using a combination of siege tactics and diplomacy. This nearly restored Ostrogothic control over the Italian peninsula.

Totila captured Rome after a long siege, exploiting a night attack. He initially planned to destroy the city but was persuaded to spare it. The capture demonstrated Ostrogothic military capability and weakened Byzantine control.

Totila's Ostrogothic fleet was defeated by the Byzantine navy at the Battle of Sena Gallica. This loss cut off Ostrogothic supply lines and allowed the Byzantines to launch a final campaign under Narses, leading to Totila's downfall.

Totila led the Ostrogothic army against the Byzantine general Narses at Taginae in central Italy. The Ostrogoths were decisively defeated, and Totila was killed in the battle. This defeat marked the end of Ostrogothic resistance in Italy.