Narses (c. 478–573) was a Byzantine general, who led the imperial forces in parts of the Gothic Wars in Italy in the 500s.
The “Liber Pontificalis” on how a Byzantine general invited the Lombards to come and possess Italy, if they pleased.
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?
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.
The Lombard invasion of Venetia in 568 — from “Historia Langobardorum” by Paul the Deacon.
An account of the bubonic plague in Italy — also called the Justinian plague — from “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.
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.
