Narses (Byzantine general; c.478–573)
Narses (c. 478–573) was a Byzantine general, who led the imperial forces in parts of the Gothic Wars in Italy in the 500s.
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The conquest of Venetia
The invasion of the Lombards in 568 was only the first part of the Lombard conquest of the Byzantine province of Venetia.
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The “Chronicon Altinate”
The “Chronicon Altinate” is one of the central medieval sources to early Venetian history, used extensively since it was written.
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Liber Pontificalis — John III
The “Liber Pontificalis” on how a Byzantine general invited the Lombards to come and possess Italy, if they pleased.
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Did Narses invite the Lombards?
Why did the Lombards decide to invade Byzantine Italy in 568? A popular story was the Byzantine general Narses, who had just retaken Italy for the empire, invited them. Was Narses a traitor to the empire?
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The Lombard Invasion
The Lombard invasion of Byzantine Italy in 568 was a pivotal event in Venetian history, as it kicked off the movement towards a distinct Venetian society, culture and, ultimately, state.
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The invasion of Venetia — Paul the Deacon
The Lombard invasion of Venetia in 568 — from “Historia Langobardorum” by Paul the Deacon.
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The Justinian plague — Paul the Deacon
An account of the bubonic plague in Italy — also called the Justinian plague — from “Historia Langobardorum” by Paul the Deacon.
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The “Historia Langobardorum” by Paul the Deacon
The “Historia Langobardorum” is the oldest chronicle relevant to the history of Venice. It probably dates to the 780s or 790s.
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Translatio Marci Evangelistae Venetias (English)
This document is the earliest description of the translation of St Mark to Venice in 827–828, and also of early Venice. This is a translation by René Seindal.