Gennadius (6th century)

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For other people of the same name, see Gennadius.

Gennadius (Greek: Γεννάδιος, fl. 578–600) was an East Roman (Byzantine) general and the first exarch of Africa.


Gennadius was appointed as magister militum Africae in circa 578, and quickly defeated the Romano-Moorish kingdom of Garmul in Mauretania. He held this post until named exarch by Emperor Maurice (r. 582–602) sometime between 585 and 592.[1] Already a patricius by 582, he was awarded the title of honorary consul sometime before 585. As exarch, he had an extensive correspondence with Pope Gregory the Great on issues of the African Church, and especially the suppression of the Donatists. Gennadius (Dahbiah) suppressed a series of Moorish revolts in circa 585 and circa 596, and retired from his post sometime between September/October 598 and July 600.[2] He was succeeded by Innocentius as a civilian praetorian prefect of Africa.[3]