View source for Narses

==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.<ref>Teall, John. "The Barbarians in Justinian's Armies". ''Speculum'' Vol. 40 No. 2 Apr. 1965. 302.</ref> (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".<ref>Procopius. ''History''. xxv. 26 Vol. I 247.</ref> Narses met with Belisarius at Firmum where a council of war was held. The council discussed what should happen regarding the [[Siege of Ariminum (538)|Siege of Ariminum]] and with the commander of troops, [[John (nephew of Vitalian)|John]], who was a close friend of Narses.<ref>Procopius, ''Wars'' Book VI (Gothic Wars II) 16.5</ref> 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.<ref>Procopius. ''History''. xxx. 54 Vol. I 555, 557.</ref> 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."<ref>Procopius, ''History''. xviii. 3 Vol. IV 19.</ref> During the autumn and winter months of 538–39, the Army in Italy was divided into two parties, between Belisarius and Narses.<ref>Browning, Robert. ''Justinian and Theodora''. (London: Thames & Hudson, rev. ed. 1987) 111.</ref> 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."<ref>Procopius. ''History''. xviii. 28 Vol. IV 27.</ref> 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.<ref>Procopius. ''History''. xxii. 4–5 Vol. IV 57.</ref>

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."<ref>Dunlap, James E. ''The Office of the Grand Chamberlain in the Later Roman and Byzantine Empires''. (London: Macmillan Press, 1924) 287.</ref> 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 [[Walls of Constantinople#Gates|Golden Gate of Constantinople]]. He received a report that a prophetess' foretelling of deadly floods had agitated the crowds.{{sfn|Martindale|1992|p=915}} 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.{{sfn|Martindale|1992|pp=915—916}}<ref>Procopius, ''Wars'' Book VII (Gothic Wars III) 13.21–24</ref>