Kingdom Of The Vandals: A People In Search Of A Home

David Tee - AncientPages.com - The name may bring fear to many, as this ancient society is forever linked with those who cause destruction to property - vandals, and vandalism. Yet they may not have been as fierce or destructive as their modern namesakes.

Left: Genseric, leader of the Vandlas in North Africa. Credit: Janboruta, Public Domain - Right:Reconstruction of an Iron Age warrior's garments representing a Vandalic man, with his hair in a "Suebian knot" on display at Archaeological Museum of Kraków, Poland. Credit: Public Domain, CC BY-SA 3.0

Trying to find the origin of the original Vandal people is difficult. Historical records state the tribe appeared first inhabiting present-day southern Poland.  Some historians have found the name in central Sweden, in the parish of Vendel. Plus, the name has cropped up in Denmark and Norway with possible ties to a Norwegian royal family.

Wherever they came from, it seems that the people were in search of a home.

First Roman Contact With The Vandals

The Vandals seem to have been in contact with Rome early on and when the Roman Empire was at its height. Cassius wrote that the Vandals were led by Raus and Raptus and after a battle they made peace in exchange for some land.

The Sack of Rome, Karl Briullov, 1833–1836. Credit: Public Domain

For some reason, and it could possibly be that the Vandals had no permanent home, they made little impact on the archaeological record. They also appeared very briefly in historical records.

But they were able to defeat the Romans in Spain in the early 5^th century and were even allies of Rome at one time as Stilicho, a Roman general, who was of Vandal origin. The 5^th century was one of struggle for the Vandals as they fought the Franks, the Huns, The Romans and the Visigoths.

The Vandals In Spain And Beyond

The battle victory against the Romans in Spain was due to two factors. First, the Visigoths decided to not honor their allied agreement with the Romans. Their departure left the Romans militarily weak.

Then, second, The Roman general Castinus changed strategies and decided to attack the Vandals instead of starving them into surrender. After the defeat of the Romans, the Vandals were able to broaden their conquest of Spain and captured the city of Seville after two attempts.

For some reason, Spain was not to be the Vandals' home. Their new leader, Genseric, decided that North Africa was the place for the Vandals to migrate to and conquer. The exact number of Vandals who went to North Africa is unknown, and some historians discount the 80,000 number.

The Vandals In North Africa

The reason that the Vandals went to North Africa is unclear as well. Some historians claim that they went at the invitation of Bonifacius, while others claim it was done in search of safety.

Migrations of the Vandals from Scandinavia through Dacia, Gaul, Iberia, and into North Africa. Grey: Roman Empire. Credit: Public Domain

Whatever the reason, the Vandals decided that Hippo would be their first capital. They laid siege to that city even though St. Augustine was living there at the time. It took the Vandals 14 months to bring the city to its knees.

The Vandals in 435 AD, finally made a treaty with the Romans and the latter gave them large amounts of territory as their own. But for Genseric, the territory was not enough, and he broke the treaty in 49 AD, by attacking and conquering Carthage.

Carthage became the new Vandal capital, and from their Genseric, who ruled for 50 years, conquered Sicily, Malta, Sardinia, Corsica, and other islands. From their wandering beginnings, the Vandals may have finally found their home.

The Vandals And Rome Were Not Finished

Genseric used his new home to raid and conquer other parts of the Roman empire. Unfortunately, the Romans were battling the Gauls at the time and Attila the Hun, so they could not address their empire's reduction at the Vandals' hands.

The Romans tried to regain their territory, but that peace effort was undone by Valentinian III's assassination. Genseric did not like what took place and attacked Rome. It is said that Pope Leo I had Genseric agree not to kill or burn but simply plunder.

This was done, and it is said that he took the treasures from the Temple of Jerusalem back to Carthage with him.

The Vandal End

After Genseric died, a few weak rulers came to the Vandal throne, but those rules were unstable due to infighting and other intrigues. This situation left the Vandals weak and ripe for conquest.

It was the Byzantines who finally put an end to the Vandal Empire and civilization.

Updated on April 18, 2024

Written by – David Tee  AncientPages.com 

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