Vandals were originally Germanic tribes inhabiting [living in] East Germany in the 3rd century B.C. In AD 270 they invaded Romania and Hungary near the Danube River, part of the Roman Empire. Emperor Constantine was forced to make a treaty and give them land there.

Upon the death of that leader, the Vandals retreated into Spain. Finally they crossed over into Africa, where they started a kingdom under their chief Genseric. They captured the Roman city of Carthage in 439, and made it their capital. From there Vandal pirates attacked and plundered [robbed, destroyed] Mediterranean shipping. No ships were safe from these pirates, unless they paid tribute [money, protection money] to the Vandals.

In 442, the Roman Emperor recognized Gaiseric as an independent ruler. The Vandals developed a strong army and navy. They were soon ready to attack Rome itself.

Rome was being invaded by Huns at this time as well. The Roman Emperor Valentian was powerless against them. But in 451, one of his generals Ætius won a major victory over Attila in Gaul. In 454, Valentinian had Ætius killed out of jealousy and fear he would try to take over. However, two of Ætius's generals and supporters assassinated Valentinian in 455. Rome was without a leader.

Romans and Barbarians shown on a sarcophagus

Petronius Maximus claimed to be the next emperor. Maximus gained control of the palace by distributing money and forced Eudoxia to marry him by threatening her with death, thinking that his position would be more secure. She hated him and thought he was responsible for her husband's death. (It is rumored that the Empress Eudoxia had asked the Vandal king Genseric to come and free her from her hated marriage with the Emperor Petronius Maximus.)

In 455, on the pretext [pretense; given as the real reason or excuse] of settling a quarrel with Rome, Genseric landed his army at the port of Ostia on the Tiber River. From there he took possession of the city of Rome itself. The Vandals sacked [plundered, attacked and destroyed] Rome, and for fourteen days pillaged [destroyed] it, taking whatever they wanted and destroyed the rest. Thousands of Romans were slaughtered. The Roman Empress Licinia Eudoxia and her two daughters were taken hostage. Petronius Maximus was killed.

By the actions of the Vandals, the city of Rome lost its treasures and many of its works of art. The word "vandalism" came to mean "destruction."

One daughter, Eudoxia, married the son of Genseric, Huneric, who later became the next Vandal king. Eudoxia became the Vandal queen and the mother of the next Vandal king.

After the marriage of her daughter Eudoxia to Huneric, the Roman Empress Licinia Eudoxia and her younger daughter were returned to the Romans and made their way to Constantinople. There, Licinia Eudoxia lived out her life as one of the leading matrons [respected older women] of the city.

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Learn more about the Vandals Vandals (Catholic Encyclopedia) Vandals (North Park Edu) Roman Emperors DIR

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