Amalafrida facts for kids
Amalafrida (Gothic: 𐌰𐌼𐌰𐌻𐌰𐍆𐍂𐌹𐌳𐌰; before 475 – fl. 523) was an important queen. She became queen of the Vandals when she married King Thrasamund. Amalafrida was the daughter of Theodemir, who was the king of the Ostrogoths, and his wife Erelieva. She was also the sister of Theodoric the Great. Her son, Theodahad, later became an Ostrogothic king as well.
In the year 500, Theodoric, who ruled the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy, arranged for Amalafrida to marry Thrasamund. Thrasamund was the king of the Vandals in North Africa. This marriage helped Theodoric strengthen his power over the Vandals. Amalafrida brought a very large dowry with her. She also brought 1,000 elite Gothic warriors and 5,000 armed helpers.
After her husband Thrasamund died, the new Vandal king, Hilderic, made some big changes. He allowed all the Catholic bishops who had been sent away to return. This was a major shift in policy.
Amalafrida did not agree with these changes. She led a group that rebelled against Hilderic. She asked the Moors for help. They fought a battle near Capsa, a city about 300 miles south of the capital city, Carthage. This area was on the edge of the Libyan desert.
In 523, Amalafrida's group lost the battle. Hilderic arrested her and put her in prison. He also had her Gothic soldiers killed. This was part of his plan to reduce the Ostrogothic influence. Amalafrida died in prison, but the exact date is not known.
Amalafrida had two children: Theodahad and Amalaberga. Amalaberga married Hermanfrid, who was the king of the Thuringii. It is not known who the father of these children was.
See also
In Spanish: Amalafrida para niños
