Narses

Born around 478, Narses rose through Justinian's court as a trusted official of Armenian origin. He first proved his nerve in 532, spending his own money and working the factions to help put down the Nika riots that nearly toppled the emperor. Two decades later, Justinian sent him to Italy to finish what Belisarius had started. At Taginae in 552, Narses broke the Ostrogothic king Totila; a year later at Mons Lactarius, he destroyed what remained of the kingdom. The Gothic War ended, and with it Justinian's dream of reconquest found its sharpest instrument—not in youth, but in an old man who kn…