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:For other historical figures with similar names,
see Narses (uation).

Narses (478-573) was, along with Belisarius, one
of the two great generals in the service of the
Eastern Roman Emperor Justinian I. during the
so-called "Reconquest" that took place during the
Justinian's reign.

Narses was a Romanized Armenian from the noble
Kamsarakan family, which claimed descent from the
royal Arsacid dynasty. He spent most of his life
as a relatively unimportant eunuch in the palace
of the emperors in Constantinople, but when
Justinian became emperor in 527, historical events
conspired to make him famous. 

He was 74 years old in 552, when the
ever-suspicious Justinian recalled Belisarius from
his campaign against the Ostrogoths in Italy and
replaced him with Narses. Despite his age, he
proved to be just as energetic and skilled as his
predecessor, though history has generally credited
Belisarius with the greater strategic genius. He
launched yet another campaign against the
Ostrogoths, finally defeating their formidable
King Baduila at the Battle of Taginae. In 553 he
defeated the remnants of the Ostrogoth army at the
Battle of Mons Lactarius. In 554, he drove the
Franks and Alamanni, who had come to help the
Ostrogoths, back over the Alps. Eventually, the
surviving Ostrogoths surrendered to him, and Italy
was restored to the empire.

Narses remained in Italy as its prefect
(governor), but his administration was unpopular.
After Justinian's death, his son Justin II removed
him as prefect and demanded he return to
Constantinople. Narses relinquished his post, but
refused to leave Italy, instead retiring to a
villa near Naples.

The last years of his life are somewhat clouded in
suspicion. Many sources at the time say Narses
secretly encouraged the invasion of Italy by the
Lombards in 568, in revenge for Justin II's taking
away his position. Still, Narses, then 90 years
old, offered his services to the emperor once
more. He was turned down. By the time Narses died,
more than half of Italy had fallen into Lombard
hands.