Siege of Hippo Regius facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Siege of Hippo Regius
Part of the Vandalic conquest of Roman Africa
Ruins of Hippo Regius
Date June 430 – August 431 Location Hippo Regius, Africa, Western Roman Empire (modern Annaba, Algeria) Result Tactical Roman victory (siege lifted) Strategic Vandal victory
Belligerents
Vandals	Western Roman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Genseric	Boniface
Strength
Around 15,000–20,000 fighting men	Less than 20,000
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Unknown, including St. Augustine

The Siege of Hippo Regius was a long battle that took place from June 430 to August 431. It happened in a city called Hippo Regius, which is now Annaba in Algeria. The battle was fought between the Vandals, led by their king Genseric, and the Roman defenders, led by a general named Boniface.

This siege was an important event during the time when the Vandals were taking over parts of the Roman Empire in Africa.

What Was the Siege of Hippo Regius?

A siege is when an army surrounds a city or fortress to cut off its supplies. They try to force the people inside to surrender. The Siege of Hippo Regius was a long effort by the Vandal army to capture the city.

Who Were the Main People Involved?

• Genseric: He was the powerful king of the Vandals. He led his army to invade Roman Africa.
• Boniface: He was a Roman general, also known as the Count of Africa. He was in charge of defending Hippo Regius.
• Saint Augustine: A very famous Christian writer and bishop. He was inside the city during the siege and sadly died there.

The Vandal Invasion of Africa

The Vandals were a Germanic group who had moved across Europe. In 429 AD, they crossed from Spain into North Africa. They wanted to take control of the rich Roman lands there. Hippo Regius was one of the important cities they targeted.

How Did the Siege Happen?

The Vandal army, with about 15,000 to 20,000 soldiers, surrounded Hippo Regius. They tried to stop anyone or anything from getting in or out.

Roman Defense and Supplies

General Boniface was clever. He had control of the sea. This meant he could still get food and other supplies into the city by ship. This helped the Roman defenders hold out for a very long time.

A Long Battle

The siege lasted for 14 months. That's over a year! During this time, the people inside Hippo Regius faced many challenges. The Vandal army outside also started to run low on supplies.

What Was the Outcome of the Siege?

After more than a year, King Genseric and his Vandal army were running out of food and resources. They had to give up and leave.

Roman Victory, Then Vandal Control

Because the Vandals left, it was a tactical Roman victory. This means the Romans won that specific battle. However, General Boniface soon left the city by sea. He went to meet new Roman soldiers coming from the eastern part of the Roman Empire.

After Boniface left, the Vandals were able to take over Hippo Regius easily. Later, they defeated the combined Roman armies in another big battle. So, even though the Romans won the siege, the Vandals won the bigger war. This was a strategic Vandal victory.

The Death of Saint Augustine

During the siege, Saint Augustine was in Hippo Regius. He was very old and sick. He died in August 430, while the city was still surrounded. He is remembered as one of the most important thinkers in Christian history.

See also

In Spanish: Sitio de Hipona Regio para niños