Defying Expectations: The Eunuch Who Outlived His Critics
Many doubted him when Justinian first gave him command. Even Empress Theodora questioned if a “eunuch who counts coins” could lead soldiers. Yet Narses lived to nearly 100, running Italy for 13 years after conquering it. Byzantine law blocked eunuchs from certain jobs, but skill and imperial favor could overcome these limits. Legend says when recalled from Italy, he invited Lombards to invade out of spite, though historians doubt this story.
