Narses (Byzantine military leader)
Narses was a prominent Byzantine military leader and eunuch, possibly of Armenian descent, who played a significant role in the Byzantine Empire during the reign of Emperor Justinian I. Although his exact birth date is unclear, Narses is recognized for his administrative and military talents, particularly during the Nika Riots in Constantinople in 532 CE. His relationship with the renowned general Belisarius was marked by rivalry, which influenced military outcomes, including Belisarius's defeat against the Ostrogoths in 539 CE. Subsequently, Narses was appointed to lead Byzantine forces against the Ostrogoths, achieving crucial victories in 552 CE at Busta Gallorum and Mons Lactarius.
Following these victories, Narses served as the military viceroy of Italy for an impressive fifteen years, where he effectively maintained Roman authority against various incursions, including those from the Franks and Slavs. However, in 567 CE, he was dismissed by Emperor Justin II, and soon after, the Langobards invaded Italy. Narses spent his remaining years in retirement until his death, leaving a legacy that contributed to the preservation of Roman control over parts of Italy for centuries, thus linking the region to its Greek Classical heritage. His life and achievements reflect the complexities of Byzantine military and political dynamics during a transformative era.
Narses (Byzantine military leader)
Related civilizations: Imperial Rome, Byzantine Empire
Major role/position: Military leader
Life
Narses’ (NAHR-seez) background and exact birth date are in dispute, but it seems clear that he was partially of Armenian ancestry. Narses was a eunuch and spent most of his adult career as a diplomat and courtier. The emperor Justinian I admired his efficiency, though, and noted his command skills when Narses was called on to suppress the Nika Riots in Constantinople in 532 c.e.
Narses became an insurance policy for Justinian in case the successful general Belisarius became too insubordinate. Narses’ rivalry with Belisarius contributed to the latter’s defeat by the Ostrogoths in 539 c.e. After Belisarius’s defeat, Justinian recalled him as the Ostrogoths successfully resisted the Roman attempt to reconquer Daly. Narses inflicted two decisive defeats on the Ostrogoths, one at Busta Gallorum, in the summer of 552 c.e., and the other at Mons Lactarius in the same year.
Astonishingly for a man of his age, Narses remained military viceroy of Italy for fifteen more years, during which he cemented Roman control over the peninsula and vanquished Frankish and Slavic incursions. In 567 c.e., however, he was removed by the new emperor, Justin II. Shortly thereafter, the Langobards and their allies invaded Italy. Narses remained in retirement in Italy until he died seven years later.
Influence
Although much of what Narses conquered was lost to the Langobards in the ensuing decades, Constantinople ruled parts of Italy until 1071. This was vital in maintaining the links between Italy and the Greek Classical heritage.
Bibliography
Fauber, L. H. Narses, Hammer of the Goths. New York: St. Martin’s Press, 1990.
Treadgold, Warren. A History of the Byzantine State and Society. Stanford, Calif.: Stanford University Press, 1997.