Narses (, also spelled Nerses; ; ; ; c. 478–573) was a distinguished Roman general and statesman of Armenian heritage, renowned for his critical role in Emperor Justinian I's military campaigns. Alongside the famed Belisarius, Narses was instrumental in the reconquest of Italy during the Gothic War (535–554), which sought to restore the western provinces of the Roman Empire.
Narses first gained significant recognition by suppressing the Nika riots in 532, using his diplomatic skills and wealth to help quell the revolt. His later campaigns in Italy were marked by decisive victories, most notably at the Battle of Taginae in 552, where he defeated the Ostrogothic king Totila, and at the Battle of Mons Lactarius in 553, effectively ending the Ostrogothic kingdom.
Origins Narses was born in Persarmenia, the eastern region of Armenia ceded to the Sasanian Empire under the Peace of Acilisene around AD 387. He was of Armenian heritage, part of a substantial Armenian population that played a prominent role within the Byzantine Empire.John H. Rosser. Historical Dictionary of Byzantium. Scarecrow Press, 2011, p. 199: "Armenians were a significant minority within the empire. In the sixth century, Justinian I's General Narses was Armenian. The emperor Maurice (582–602) may have been Armenian. In the ninth and 10th centuries there were several Armenian emperors, including Leo V, Basil I, Romanos I Lekapenos, and John I Tzimiskes. Theodora, the wife of Theophilos, was Armenian."The Cambridge Ancient History, Vol. 14: Late Antiquity, Cambridge University Press, 2007, p. 534: "The new Byzantine commander there [Italy], the Armenian eunuch Narses, proved a match for the daring Totila..."
Some sources have mistakenly conflated Narses (who was a eunuch) with Narses of the Kamsarakan family, a noble Armenian lineage.Mentioned in: Procopius of Caesarea, History of the Wars, Book I, XII, 20 et seq. However, scholarly consensus now holds that the general had no verifiable ties to this princely house. His first appearance in historical records is by Procopius around AD 530, in connection with the Byzantine–Sasanian conflicts.Procopius, History of the Wars, I.xv.31, in The Loeb Classical Library, trans. H.B. Dewing. Cambridge: Harvard University Press, 1954, Vol. I, p. 139.
The exact year of Narses' birth is uncertain, with dates typically cited as 478, 479, or 480. His death date is also debated, estimated between 566 and 574, suggesting he lived to an age of between eighty-six and ninety-six years. Details of his family background, early life, and the circumstances of his castration remain obscure, often shrouded in speculation and legend.
The historian Agathias Scholasticus of Myrina offered a vivid description of Narses: "He was a man of sound mind, and clever at adapting himself to the times. He was not versed in literature nor practiced in oratory, [but] made up for it by the fertility of his wits." Physically, Agathias noted he was "small and of a lean habit, but stronger and more high-spirited than would have been believed."Agathias Scholasticus, cited in Fauber, L.H. Narses: Hammer of the Goths, St. Martin's Press, 1990, p. 15.
Religion Narses was reported to be a very pious man with a special devotion to the Virgin Mary. Evagrius Scholasticus in Ecclesiastica Historia reported that she would tell him the proper time to attack, and Narses would never engage in battle without her consent.Scholasticus, Evagrius. Ecclesiastical History. Trans. E. Walford (London: Samuel Bagster and Sons, 1846) Book iv. 214–215. Narses also was reported to be generous to the poor and zealous when it came to restoring churches. He was so devoted to prayers and vigils that "he obtained victory more by the supplications he poured forth to God, than by arms of war."Paul the Deacon. History of the Langobards. Trans. William D. Foulke. (Philadelphia: University of Pennsylvania, 1907) 56. Before accepting supreme command of the army, Narses built a church and monastery in Cappadocia, intent upon going there upon his retirement.W.G. Holmes, The Age of Justinian and Theodora. (London: Gorgias Press, 1905) Vol II 648. Paul the Deacon, a late 8th century Lombard writer, insisted that Narses was a Catholic, but John of Ephesus, a Miaphysite contemporary of Narses, wrote that Narses staffed his monastery with exiled Miaphysite monks.
Early career How or when Narses arrived in Constantinople, or exactly how he found a footing in the officium of the Grand Chamberlain, remains unknown. When Procopius first mentions Narses, he was serving as Emperor Justinian I's steward (cubicularius) in 530. Narses was also a high treasurer who dealt with the emperor's finances and payments from the imperial treasury, probably holding the post of sacellarius. He rose through the ranks, became the commander of the emperor's eunuch bodyguard (spatharius) c. 532, and eventually became Grand Chamberlain (praepositus sacri cubiculi) around 537/538.Fauber. Narses. 17–18. Despite his later military commands, he is never attested as Master of Soldiers (magister militum) in formal documents. Narses became a patrician in the 550s. Although Theodosius II was alleged to have, in 422, barred eunuchs from serving as patricians,John Malalas, Chronicle 14.361 Justinian overturned this law.
Nika riots
Narses played a crucial role in suppressing the Nika riots of 532, the largest uprising in the history of Byzantium and Constantinople. The revolt began during chariot races at the Imperial Hippodrome, when longstanding tensions erupted into mass protests. Initially, the rebels demanded the abdication of Emperor Justinian I, and the disorder escalated into widespread violence that left much of the city in ruins. Facing the threat of losing his throne, Justinian considered fleeing, but Empress Theodora persuaded him to stay and resist.
Narses was entrusted with a large sum of gold and instructed to infiltrate the Blue faction’s camp. Unarmed and accompanied by only a few attendants, he approached the Blues’ section of the Hippodrome and, risking his life, skillfully distributed bribes. Narses convinced many influential senators and Blue leaders that supporting Hypatius, who had been declared emperor by the rebels, was not in their best interest.Fauber, p. 39–40. Following this intervention, the senators and many Blues, chanting “Justiniane Auguste, tu vincas!” (“Justinian Augustus, may you triumph!”), abandoned the rebellion, significantly weakening its leadership.
Shortly afterward, a detachment of the Armenian corps led by John the Armenian entered the city, soon joined by Herulian infantry. Justinian then ordered a decisive assault on the remaining rebels. Generals Belisarius, John the Armenian, and Mund, with their loyal troops, stormed the Hippodrome and carried out a brutal massacre, while Narses and his detachment surrounded the Hippodrome, preventing escape. Contemporary sources report that around 35,000 people were killed in the Hippodrome and its surroundings.Theophanes AM 6024
The crushing of the Nika revolt marked a turning point, solidifying the inner circle of Justinian and Theodora, with Narses becoming a key figure. In gratitude for his loyalty and service, Justinian promoted him to the senatorial rank of vir illustris, and in 538, Narses was appointed praepositus sacri cubiculi, effectively serving as the emperor’s chief chamberlain and close advisor. This position made Narses one of the most influential and trusted individuals in the Byzantine Empire.
Military career Narses' involvement and help in suppressing the Nika Riots suddenly found him in charge of a moderately-sized army that would go to Italy to help Belisarius. The army arrived in June of 538 probably in Ancona and consisted of roughly 7,000 soldiers.Teall, John. "The Barbarians in Justinian's Armies". Speculum Vol. 40 No. 2 Apr. 1965. 302. (Every army that Narses commanded was made up of very diverse peoples, drawing from many of the surrounding tribes.) Procopius referred to Narses as the eunuch and keeper of the royal treasuries, and described him as "keen and more energetic than would be expected of a eunuch".Procopius. History. xxv. 26 Vol. I 247. Narses met with Belisarius at Firmum where a council of war was held. The council discussed what should happen regarding the Siege of Ariminum and with the commander of troops, John, who was a close friend of Narses.Procopius, Wars Book VI (Gothic Wars II) 16.5 Narses commented that he had already been punished for his "insolence" and that if the Goths took Rimini then it could turn the tide of the war.Procopius. History. xxx. 54 Vol. I 555, 557. Belisarius and Narses led a column of troops through inland mountainous routes to descend upon Rimini from the northwest.
John owed his thanks to Narses for convincing Belisarius, and according to Procopius, commented on the relationship between the two men. "And from that time both these men [Belisarius and Narses] began to regard each other with great suspicion."Procopius, History. xviii. 3 Vol. IV 19. During the autumn and winter months of 538–39, the Army in Italy was divided into two parties, between Belisarius and Narses.Browning, Robert. Justinian and Theodora. (London: Thames & Hudson, rev. ed. 1987) 111. Justinian himself dispatched a letter to Belisarius, stating that "We have not sent our steward Narses to Italy in order to command the army; for we wish Belisarius alone to command the whole army in whatever manner seems to him best, and it is the duty of all of you to follow him in the interest of the state."Procopius. History. xviii. 28 Vol. IV 27. The division however remained and the city of Milan was to fall victim to the divided command. Narses was recalled to Constantinople, but not in disgrace, as he was allowed to retain some of his barbarian guardsmen.Procopius. History. xxii. 4–5 Vol. IV 57.
After being recalled, Narses seemed to have lost "none of his favour at court, [and] remained the most trusted servant and minister of the Emperor and his consort."Dunlap, James E. The Office of the Grand Chamberlain in the Later Roman and Byzantine Empires. (London: Macmillan Press, 1924) 287. In 541, Narses was believed to have helped the Empress Theodora and Antonina (wife of Belisarius) with the overthrow of John the Cappadocian. In late 541 or early 542, Narses was sent by Justinian to investigate popular disturbances near the Golden Gate of Constantinople. He received a report that a prophetess' foretelling of deadly floods had agitated the crowds. In 545, Justinian sent Narses to the rulers of the Heruli to recruit troops to join Belisarius in Italy. When the Heruli troops were accompanying Narses to Thrace, they unexpectedly encountered and defeated the Sclaveni raiders.Procopius, Wars Book VII (Gothic Wars III) 13.21–24
Return to Italy Finally in 551, Narses was sent back to Italy, where he was to achieve his greatest victories. Germanus, a cousin of the Emperor, was appointed by Justinian to finish what Belisarius had started a decade before. However, on his way to Italy in 550, Germanus fell ill and "abruptly reached the term of life."Procopius. History. xl. 9 Vol. V 41. Narses was appointed the new commander of the army, given supreme command and returned to Italy where twelve years previously he had been recalled. Many historians believe that Narses was put in command because of his old age, so that he would never be able to rebel successfully against Justinian.