Gesalec facts for kids

Illustration of Gesalic, a Visigothic king.

Gesalic (born around 480 – died 513) was a king of the Visigoths. He ruled from 507 to 511. His name means "dancing with spears" in the old Gothic language. You might also see his name as Gesaleico in Spanish and Portuguese, or Gesaleic in Catalan.

Becoming King of the Visigoths

Gesalic became king after his father, Alaric II, was killed in a big battle against the Franks in 507. Even though Gesalic was Alaric's son, he was not the official heir. Alaric's only official son, Amalaric, was just a child. Because Amalaric was too young to rule, the Visigothic leaders chose Gesalic to be their new king.

Challenges and Losing Power

At first, Gesalic had help from a very powerful king named Theodoric the Great. Theodoric ruled the Ostrogothic kingdom. However, this support did not last. Between 508 and 511, Gesalic even had an important Visigothic noble, Goiaric, killed.

Things got much worse for Gesalic when the Burgundians, led by their king Gundobad, attacked. They captured and robbed Narbonne, which was Gesalic's capital city. Gesalic had to run away to Barcelona.

Soon after, King Theodoric decided to remove Gesalic from power. Theodoric then took control of the Visigothic kingdom himself. He ruled it for the next 15 years. He collected taxes and chose officials. He said he was doing this for Gesalic's younger half-brother, Amalaric, until Amalaric was old enough to rule on his own.

Seeking Help and Final Defeat

After being removed from the throne, Gesalic found safety in Carthage. This city was ruled by the Vandal king Thrasamund. King Thrasamund supported Gesalic's cause. He gave Gesalic money, but no soldiers. In 510 and 511, the Vandal navy helped Gesalic try to invade Spain.

However, King Theodoric sent strong letters to Thrasamund. Thrasamund soon realized he could not fight against Theodoric's powerful Ostrogoths. So, Thrasamund stopped helping Gesalic. He even apologized to Theodoric and offered him gold.

Left without Thrasamund's help, Gesalic fled to Aquitania. He stayed there for about a year. Aquitania had been taken by the Franks, but many Visigoths and pro-Gothic Romans still lived there.

Gesalic tried to return to Spain one more time. But he was defeated by Theodoric's general, Ibbas, near Barcelona. Gesalic managed to escape the battle. However, he was captured after crossing the Durance river and was killed. Historians believe he was killed around 513.

See also

In Spanish: Gesaleico para niños