Genethlius, comes of the most devoted Foederati, 6th century. Seal (Lead, 23 mm, 10.13 g, 12 h). +GЄN/ЄThL' / COm, in three lines. Rev. dЄЧO/TISSIm' / [F]OЄdЄR, in three lines. Unpublished in the standard references. A highly significant Latin Byzantine lead seal of great military-historical importance. Very fine.



Throughout the history of the Roman Empire, the term foederati referred to foreign soldiers bound by treaty (foedus) to defend Rome, though they were not Roman citizens themselves. By the 6th century, the foederati (Greek phoideratoi) had become an elite corps of professional soldiers within the imperial army. While many were undoubtedly foreigners, some Romans also served among them. Their commander retained the ancient title of comes foederatorum.

Around the turn of the 7th century, against the backdrop of Heraclius’ Persian wars, the foederati were likely placed under the command of the magister militum of the East, though the specifics remain unclear. In any case, seals mentioning the foederati are extremely rare. A contemporary seal in the Boersema collection attests to a Theodoros, chartoularios of the foederati, who served as the civil counterpart to the comes (Wassiliou-Seibt, Sammlung Boersema 11).