Vandals

  • The Vandals were a Germanic Tribe who originated in the Oder valley in southern Poland, before migrating in 406 CE into Gaul and Iberia.
  • In 429 CE, they moved again and developed a Kingdom in Carthage in North Africa, where the Rise of Vandal Naval Power dominated the western Mediterranean.

Gaul and Iberia

  • In 406 CE, the Vandals crossed the Rhine into Gaul and in 409 CE they migrated into Iberia, forming a Vandal Kingdom under King Gunderic (407-428 CE).
  • He was succeeded by Geiseric, also known as Genseric, who became King of the Vandals between 428-477 CE.

North Africa and Carthage

  • In 429 CE, Procopius wrote that the Vandal Fleet transferred 80,000 Vandals from Gaul to North Africa, who then went on to establish a Vandal Kingdom with the Capital at Carthage.

Rise of Vandal Naval Power

Second Sack of Rome (455 CE)

  • In 455 CE, the Vandal Fleet arrived off the Italian coast, and embarked on the Second Sack of Rome
  • Geiseric died in 477 CE, by which time the Vandal Fleets had become the Sea Power in the Mediterranean.

Vandal Timeline

  • 401-2 CE The Vandals attacked Raetia (Switzerland).
  • 406 CE The Vandals and the Alans with an army of 20,000 crossed the Rhine and devastated Gallia Aquitania en route to Hispania.
  • 409 CE Invasion of Hispania by the VandalsAlans and Visigoths.
  • 410 CE Invasion of Italy and the First Sack of Rome by the Visigoths under Alaric I.
  • 429 CE Invasion of Africa by the Vandals under King Geiseric, who crossed into Africa and conquered the coastline eastwards to Carthage.
  • 439 CE Invasion of Tunisia and the Rise of Vandal Naval Power. The Vandals built a fleet with which they proceeded to occupy the Mediterranean Islands and become a Sea Power.
  • 451 CE Invasion of Gaul and Italy by Attila the Hun.
  • 455 CE Invasion of Italy and the Second Sack of Rome for 14 days by the Vandals under King Geiseric.

 

Oder Valley, Poland

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