Chilbudius[1] or Chilbuldius[2] (Greek: Χιλβούδιος, Khilboudios) was a Byzantine general, holding the rank of magister militum per Thracias in the early 530s.
[1] According to some scholars Chilbudius was probably a Slav,[2] although Florin Curta argues this view was misled by the story of the Antian namesake who claimed his identity.
A Byzantine captive held by the same man persuaded their master that his fellow slave was the real Chilbudius.
The Antae would be allowed to settle in this area and receive payment for guarding the Byzantine borders against the Huns, effectively gaining foederati status.
The Antae accepted, but on the condition that "Chilbudius" would be restored to office, attempting to raise their man to the rank of magister militum.
The story probably has a historic basis, but Procopius "surely reworked the account and arranged it according to comic narrative patterns".
A number of Antae seem to have joined the Byzantines in the ongoing Gothic War (535-554), and are recorded fighting against the Ostrogoths in Lucania.