Gennadius (7th century)
Encyclopedia
Gennadius was an Byzantine
general who exercised the role of Exarch of Africa from 648 to 665, when he was finally expelled.
Gennadius was a Byzantine general who served under the Byzantine Emperor Constans II. He assumed the position of exarch of Africa after the death of Gregory the Patrician
at the hands of the Arabs in 648. Although the emperor had not appointed him to the position, he managed to ensure the Arab withdrawal from Byzantine North Africa by promising them an annual tribute of 300,000 nomismata
. Like his predecessors, he acknowledged the authority of Constans, and transported to Constantinople
the annual excess revenue raised from the province. He nevertheless administered Africa without interference from the imperial court, supported by the African bishops who were resolutely Chalcedonian.
This situation persisted until 663 when Constans moved the imperial court to Syracuse in Sicily
, and demanded an increase in tribute from Africa. In 664, Gennadius refused to send to Constans the additional revenue the emperor demanded, and expelled the emperor’s representative. This saw an uprising in Africa, where the garrison of troops joined with the local citizens, led by Eleutherius, to expel Gennadius in 665. Gennadius fled to the court of Muawiyah I
at Damascus
, where he asked the Caliph
for aid in recapturing Carthage
. The Caliph agreed and sent a large force with Gennadius to invade Byzantine Africa in 665. However, Gennadius died when he reached Alexandria
in late 665.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
general who exercised the role of Exarch of Africa from 648 to 665, when he was finally expelled.
Gennadius was a Byzantine general who served under the Byzantine Emperor Constans II. He assumed the position of exarch of Africa after the death of Gregory the Patrician
Gregory the Patrician
Gregory the Patrician was a Byzantine governor, and self-proclaimed Emperor of the province of Africa.-Career:Gregory the Patrician was related by blood to the Imperial House of Heraclius, through the Eastern Roman Emperor Constans II's cousin Nicetas. Gregory was appointed Exarch of Africa by the...
at the hands of the Arabs in 648. Although the emperor had not appointed him to the position, he managed to ensure the Arab withdrawal from Byzantine North Africa by promising them an annual tribute of 300,000 nomismata
Solidus (coin)
The solidus was originally a gold coin issued by the Romans, and a weight measure for gold more generally, corresponding to 4.5 grams.-Roman and Byzantine coinage:...
. Like his predecessors, he acknowledged the authority of Constans, and transported to Constantinople
Constantinople
Constantinople was the capital of the Roman, Eastern Roman, Byzantine, Latin, and Ottoman Empires. Throughout most of the Middle Ages, Constantinople was Europe's largest and wealthiest city.-Names:...
the annual excess revenue raised from the province. He nevertheless administered Africa without interference from the imperial court, supported by the African bishops who were resolutely Chalcedonian.
This situation persisted until 663 when Constans moved the imperial court to Syracuse in Sicily
Sicily
Sicily is a region of Italy, and is the largest island in the Mediterranean Sea. Along with the surrounding minor islands, it constitutes an autonomous region of Italy, the Regione Autonoma Siciliana Sicily has a rich and unique culture, especially with regard to the arts, music, literature,...
, and demanded an increase in tribute from Africa. In 664, Gennadius refused to send to Constans the additional revenue the emperor demanded, and expelled the emperor’s representative. This saw an uprising in Africa, where the garrison of troops joined with the local citizens, led by Eleutherius, to expel Gennadius in 665. Gennadius fled to the court of Muawiyah I
Muawiyah I
Muawiyah I was the first Caliph of the Umayyad Dynasty. After the conquest of Mecca by the Muslims, Muawiyah's family converted to Islam. Muawiyah is brother-in-law to Muhammad who married his sister Ramlah bint Abi-Sufyan in 1AH...
at Damascus
Damascus
Damascus , commonly known in Syria as Al Sham , and as the City of Jasmine , is the capital and the second largest city of Syria after Aleppo, both are part of the country's 14 governorates. In addition to being one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, Damascus is a major...
, where he asked the Caliph
Caliph
The Caliph is the head of state in a Caliphate, and the title for the ruler of the Islamic Ummah, an Islamic community ruled by the Shari'ah. It is a transcribed version of the Arabic word which means "successor" or "representative"...
for aid in recapturing Carthage
Carthage
Carthage , implying it was a 'new Tyre') is a major urban centre that has existed for nearly 3,000 years on the Gulf of Tunis, developing from a Phoenician colony of the 1st millennium BC...
. The Caliph agreed and sent a large force with Gennadius to invade Byzantine Africa in 665. However, Gennadius died when he reached Alexandria
Alexandria
Alexandria is the second-largest city of Egypt, with a population of 4.1 million, extending about along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the north central part of the country; it is also the largest city lying directly on the Mediterranean coast. It is Egypt's largest seaport, serving...
in late 665.
Sources
- Warren Treadgold, A History of the Byzantine State and Society (Stanford University Press, 1997) ISBN 08047 26302
- Dennis Pringle, The Defence of Byzantine Africa from Justinian to the Arab Conquest: an Account of the Military History and Archaeology of the African Provinces in the Sixth and Seventh Centuries, Volumes 1-2, (B.A.R., 1981)