Genobaud (4th century)

Genobaud was a Frankish leader in the late 4th century. He is primarily known through Roman sources, specifically the writings of Sulpicius Alexander, preserved in Gregory of Tours' History of the Franks. Genobaud, along with Marcomer and Sunno, led Frankish incursions into Roman territory in the Rhineland during the reigns of emperors Valentinian I and later Valentinian II.

The Franks, under the leadership of these men, repeatedly crossed the Rhine and raided Roman settlements, causing significant disruption and necessitating Roman military responses. Sulpicius Alexander recounts that Maximianus, a Roman general, campaigned against them, successfully pushing them back across the river on multiple occasions.

Genobaud's lineage and precise tribal affiliation within the broader Frankish confederation remain uncertain. Historical accounts do not provide detailed information on his family or the specific group he led. He is significant, however, as a named figure demonstrating the ongoing Frankish pressure on the Roman frontier during this period, a pressure that would eventually lead to the establishment of Frankish kingdoms within the Roman Empire. His actions highlight the fluid and volatile nature of the Roman-Frankish relationship during the late 4th century.