Narses was a Byzantine general of Armenian ancestry active during the reigns of the emperors Maurice and Phocas in the late sixth and early seventh centuries.

He commands the army in Mesopotamia under Maurice; when Phocas overthrows Maurice and seizs the throne, Narses refuses to recognize the usurper.

Besieged by Phocas' troops in the city of Edessa, Narses calls for the Persian emperor Khosrau II to aid him and is rescued by the Persian forces.

He attempts to salvage the situation with a diplomatic mission but is burned alive in Constantinople by Phocas' government after having been promised safety.