Narsès

Narsès (478 - 573) is a famous general, Eunuque, of the emperor Justinien I {{er}}.

Narsès is probably of Armenian origin, born towards 478. Its will to overcome its humiliating condition, its intelligence enable him to become quickly, but at a late age - almost 50 years -, the chamberlain of the emperor Justinien (with the capacity in 527) and the favorite of the empress Théodora.

Its first known political role is the negotiations which it starts, successfully, with the rebels of the blue faction whose it buys the chiefs, at the time of the Sédition Nika. Become the right-hand man of Justinien it is sent in Italy in order to assist and supervise Bélisaire of which the emperor is wary. The two men get along so badly, with contradictory orders given to the subalterns who do not know any more which orders really, that in 539 the town of Milan fall to the hands from the Ostrogoths. Justinien points out Narsès then.

This hard semi-disgrace until in 552 when Narsès is charged, at 74 years, of the command of the Byzantine armies (armed in realities often made up of cruel elements and even Persians) in Italy. It gives free course to its talent and destroyed in three years (552 - 555) the power of the Ostrogoths. The king Totila is killed in 552 in the north of Rome on the way flaminienne , and his successor Teias with the foot of the Vesuvius (Bataille of the mount Lactarius). A last barbarian army (Francs and Alamans) is destroyed with the Bataille of Casilinum (on the Vulturne) towards 555. Narsès is then named governor of the Italy where he exerts the power of a true proconsul. During 13 years it preserves Italy of the invasions. But its severe administration, its tax pressure make it unpopular.

In 565 the death of Justinien mark end of this brilliant, though late, career. The woman of the new emperor Justin II, Sophie, makes him send a stopper rod and a spindle what is a scorning way to indicate to him that it must return to Constantinople for " to spin the laine". This insult makes Narsès furious. It leaves its station but not the Italy and resides close to Naples. It seems (the fact is however disputed) that it opens itself, at the time of secret negociations, the Italian border with the Lombards towards 567. He dies in 573 while entering Rome in order to answer the petitions of the pope Jean III to defend the city vis-a-vis the danger which he itself had caused.

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