Stilicho vs Yuwen Tai

Stilicho withdrew Roman legions from Britain to defend Italy against barbarian invasions. This withdrawal weakened Roman control over Britain and contributed to the eventual abandonment of the province by the Roman Empire.

Stilicho defeated the Visigoths under Alaric I at the Battle of Pollentia (modern Pollenzo). The victory forced Alaric to retreat from Italy, temporarily saving the Western Roman Empire from Gothic invasion.

Stilicho again defeated Alaric at the Battle of Verona, forcing the Visigoths to withdraw from Italy. Stilicho negotiated a treaty with Alaric, allowing the Visigoths to settle in Illyricum, a decision that later proved controversial.

Stilicho defeated a large invasion force of Goths under Radagaisus at Fiesole (modern Florence). Radagaisus was captured and executed, and his followers were enslaved or recruited into the Roman army.

Stilicho was executed on the orders of Emperor Honorius, following accusations of treason and conspiracy with the barbarians. His death removed the Western Empire's most capable general and led to a breakdown of Roman defenses.

Yuwen Tai established the Western Wei dynasty after the split of the Northern Wei. He served as regent and de facto ruler, with the Yuan clan as figurehead emperors, and implemented military and administrative reforms.

Yuwen Tai led Western Wei forces to victory against the larger Eastern Wei army at Shaxian. This battle secured the survival of Western Wei and established Yuwen Tai's military reputation.

Yuwen Tai introduced the Fubing militia system, which organized farmer-soldiers into garrisons. This system provided a stable military force and became the basis for the Sui and Tang military systems.

Yuwen Tai died of illness. His nephew Yuwen Hu took over as regent, later forcing the abdication of the Western Wei emperor and founding the Northern Zhou dynasty, fulfilling Yuwen Tai's legacy.