The Vandals

1. The Vandals Kickin’ Ass, who cares about your name!

2. Origins • East Germanic tribe. Most likely of Swedish and Norwegian origins. • Most likely mixed with Slavic people

3. Warriors • MarcommanicWars: Attack the Roman Empire near the Danube in 271 against Emperor Aurelian • Location not good: too many other barbarian tribes • Constantine the Great eventually grants them land. Vandals convert to Christianity (not too barbarian!) • Eventually attack Catholics all over

4. On the move • Huns invade forcing the Vandals westward • Pushed all the way to the Rhine, but run into the Franks • 406 tear up Gaul, cross the Pyrenees in 409 and settle in modern day Spain and Portugal • 418: Visigoths invaded, killing many, then leave

5. On to Africa • 429: North Africa here we come • About 80,00 people (15-20K were army) • RAID, RAID, RAID • Were they there as a protective force for warlords, or saw a weakness in the Roman Empire, or pushed out of Spain by other barbarians?

6. Pillage, Pillage, Pillage • Sack Carthage in 439 • Started a new calendar in honor of it • Took over Carthage’s boats and created biggest navy around • Attack Sicily and Rome with help of allies: Alans, Moors, and Goths

7. 455: Take Rome • Emperor stoned to death by his people • Pope Leo fears for Rome’s safety so cuts a deal with the Vandals • Deal was not to kill people or burn buildings down • Gates to Rome were opened and the Vandals stole all they could, including the Empress and her family

9. Constant battles with Romans • Decades of fighting and raid were making Vandals greedy • Split in some of the leadership • Lots of battles at sea • The Moors left their alliance w/ the Vandals