Siege of Ravenna

The Visigoths are now stationed a Rimini, south of Ravenna. The defenders are receiving free passage of supplies through the Adriatic and can hold out almost indefinitely. The defenders will likely number a few hundred bodyguards, and a few thousand poorly-trained militiamen. It is likely that they are in communication with the Goths by sea, who will be able to come to their aid if the Sclavenes begin assaulting the capital.

The Classe, the imperial port of Ravenna, lies a very short distance from the city, and is heavily fortified due to its strategic importance. A siege of the port would be almost as difficult as a siege of the city, requiring positions to be held in difficult swampy terrain, rife with disease. An attacker may choose to seek more open battle, or an easier city to besiege (such as Rome or Rimini), or risk heavy losses to disease by actively trying to take the city. Even if the Classe is taken, it may be impossible to prevent all supplies from entering the city.

The coast is patrolled by Visigothic Dromon warships, that would make light work of any Slavic rafts if caught on the Adriatic.

Ravenna is chosen because it lies surrounded on three sides by swamp, accessible only by a narrow corridor of good terrain, and has access to the sea. It may be easily provisioned, and is difficult to besiege, though not impossible. If Ivaylo has the force of will, and with access to the Roman engineers of the army of Italy, the city may be taken, though it will be a costly and slow process, and the Visigoths will surely relieve the city in that case.