Gunderic facts for kids

Gunderic (born 379, died 428) was a powerful leader of the Vandals, a Germanic group of people. He first ruled the Hasding Vandals from 407 to 418. Later, he became king of both the Vandals and the Alans from 418 to 428. Gunderic led his people as they moved into the Western Roman Empire during the 400s.

Gunderic's Early Rule

Gunderic was the son of Godigisel, who was the king of the Hasding Vandals before him. In 406, the Vandals crossed the Rhine river into the Roman Empire. They faced a tough war with the Franks, who were allies of the Romans. During this fighting, Godigisel was killed. Gunderic then took over as king.

Moving into Spain

In October 409, Gunderic and his people crossed the Pyrenees mountains. They entered the land we now call Spain. The Hasding Vandals created their own kingdom in a Roman area called Gallaecia, in northwestern Spain.

However, they were later forced out by the Visigoths in 418. The Visigoths were working with the Romans at the time.

Becoming King of Vandals and Alans

In 418, the king of the Alans, named Attaces, died in a battle against the Visigoths. Most of the Alans who survived asked Gunderic to be their new leader. Gunderic agreed, and from then on, he was known as the King of the Vandals and Alans.

Conflicts and Movements

Gunderic's people faced many challenges. In 420, Roman forces attacked the Vandals. This happened while the Vandals were fighting the Suebi people in Galicia. The Vandals had been pushed into Galicia after a big defeat by the Visigoths.

Moving South to Baetica

These conflicts led the Vandals to move south. They settled in a region called Baetica in southern Spain. Here, they joined up with other Vandal groups who had survived earlier battles.

In 422, the Vandals won a major battle. They defeated a Roman army outside the city of Cordoba.

Raids and Settlements

The Vandals also launched attacks by sea. In 425, they raided areas like Mauretania Tingitana and the Balearic Islands. They also attacked and took over cities like Cartagena and Seville. However, they did not stay in these cities for long. Gunderic took Seville again in 428.

Gunderic's Death and Successor

Gunderic died in early 428. The exact cause of his death is not fully clear. One historical writer, Hydatius, mentioned that Gunderic died after trying to take over a church in Seville.

After Gunderic's death, his half-brother, Genseric, was chosen as the new king. Genseric decided to lead the Vandals out of Spain. They left Spain to the Visigoths and moved to Roman Africa instead.

See also

In Spanish: Gunderico para niños