Rechila facts for kids
Rechila was a Suevic king who ruled Galicia from 438 until he died in 448. We don't have many old writings about his life. However, a writer named Hydatius lived at the same time as Rechila in Galicia and wrote about him.
Rechila Becomes King
In 438, Rechila's father, Hermeric, became very sick. He decided to stop being king and gave his power to his son, Rechila. Hermeric died three years later, in 441.
Rechila wanted to make his kingdom bigger. He saw that the Vandals and Alans were leaving the area. This created an empty space for him to expand his rule.
Expanding the Kingdom
In 438, Rechila won a battle against Andevotus. Andevotus was a Roman leader in Hispania, which is now Spain. This battle happened near the Genil river. After this, the Romans had a very weak position in the area. They sent three top military leaders to the peninsula between 441 and 446.
Rechila then moved south into Iberia. He captured important cities. He took Mérida in 439 and Seville in 441. These were very important victories for him. We don't know exactly how these conquests happened.
Most of the provinces of Lusitania, Baetica, and Carthaginiensis came under Suevic control. Only the Levante and the Mediterranean coast were not taken.
Wars with the Romans
Rechila was almost always fighting with the Romans. In 440, a Roman messenger named Censorius was on his way back from visiting the Suevi. Rechila captured him near Mértola. The king kept Censorius in prison for the rest of his rule.
Rechila's Death
Rechila died in Mérida. He was a pagan, meaning he did not follow the Christian religion. Hydatius wrote that Rechila "died a gentile." A later writer, Isidore of Seville, also said Rechila "finished his life a gentile."
Some people wondered if Rechila might have become Christian. But there is no real reason to doubt that he remained pagan. His son and the next king, Rechiar, was a Catholic Christian. Some historians think Rechila might have raised his son as a Christian. This could have helped the Suevi people get along better with the Church. It might also have made it easier for the Suevi to become Christians later.
Rechila might have been the father or uncle of a powerful military leader named Ricimer.
See also
In Spanish: Requila para niños
