Armentarius (died 584) was a Jewish moneylender, active in Francia under the Merovingian dynasty.
[1][2] He should probably not be confused with the similarly named Armentarius, the archiatrus (chief physician) of Tours, who is mentioned treating Gregory in 573.
The two leaders of Tours invited Armentarius into their dwelling, promising payment and gifts.
Gregory suggests the tribune Medardus (Latin: Medardum tribunum) as an alternative suspect, since the latter was also a client of the victim.
[2][3] Jonathan Elukin examined the case as part of the "difficult ... to characterize ... Jewish experience in Merovingian society".
His clients inviting him into their homes and even sharing a meal with him is not mentioned by Gregory as extraordinary.
[2] Another point of interest is the ability of Armentarius' family to bring the case to the monarch.
Typical stereotypes of Jews are absent, with Gregory reporting the case in an "understated and straightforward manner".
The narrative is argued to be part of a longstanding theme of Gregory's history: "the lawlesness and mystery of Frankish society".