[citation needed] Godilas is first mentioned in 518 as one of the officers involved in the proclamation of Justin I as Byzantine emperor.
The ceremony is recorded in the De Ceremoniis, compiled by Emperor Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos (r. 913–959) in the 10th century, and gives his rank as campiductor/campidoctor ("drill instructor") of the regiment of the Lanciarii (Greek: καμπιδούκτωρ τῶν λαγκιαρίων).
[1][2] In 528, Godilas, along with Baduarius, led a military expedition from Odessus (modern Varna) against the Huns of the Crimea.
Under their leader, Mougel, the Huns had reportedly captured Byzantine areas on the coasts of the Black Sea.
Both Constantiolus and Ascum were captured by their pursuing enemies through the use of lassoes, and only Godilas was able to break through and escape, as recorded by John Malalas and Theophanes the Confessor.