Narses

Narses, the eunuch, was a statesman and general who was born at the end of the 4th century B.C. His description shows that he was probably sent to Constantinople as a slave. In any case Justinian promoted him to the office of chamberlain and keeper of the privy purse. In 538 he was at the head of an army sent to aid Belisarius to expel the Goths; but the generals quarrelled, and Narses was recalled. In 552 he was sent to Italy against Totila, whom he defeated; and having captured Rome, he drove out the Goths, and was governor of the country for fifteen years. His exactions aroused discontent, and the complaints against, him cause 1 his deposition. He is said to have then invited the Lombards to invade Italy. He lived at Naples, and died at Rome.