Vandals facts for kids
The Vandals were a group of people from a Germanic tribe who lived a long time ago. They moved into the Roman Empire during the 5th century, which was a time when the Roman Empire was starting to become weaker.
Some people think the name of the region Andalusia in southern Spain comes from the Vandals. They believe it was once called Vandalusia, meaning "land of the Vandals." The Vandals lived there for a while before moving to North Africa and creating their own kingdom.
The Vandals were connected to other powerful groups through marriage, like the Goths. For example, Theodoric the Great, a famous Goth king, had family ties with the Vandals.
Later, in 534, the Byzantine Empire (which was the eastern part of the old Roman Empire) sent its armies led by Justinian I to conquer the Vandal kingdom in North Africa.
Contents
Who Were the Vandals?
The Vandals were a tribe from a larger group of people called the East Germanic tribes. They were known for moving around a lot. They traveled across Europe before settling in different areas.
Where Did the Vandals Come From?
The Vandals originally came from northern Europe, possibly from a region called Scandinavia. Over many years, they slowly moved south. They traveled through parts of what is now Poland and other areas of Central Europe.
Why Did the Vandals Move?
Like many tribes at that time, the Vandals were looking for new lands. They were also pushed by other groups moving into their territories. This led them on a long journey across Europe.
The Vandals and the Roman Empire
The Vandals entered the Roman Empire in the 5th century. This was a time when the Roman Empire was facing many challenges. Different tribes were moving into its lands.
Crossing into Roman Lands
In 406 AD, the Vandals, along with other tribes, crossed the Rhine River. This was a big moment because the Rhine River was a border of the Roman Empire. After crossing, they moved through Gaul (modern-day France).
Settling in Spain
By 409 AD, the Vandals had reached the Iberian Peninsula (modern-day Spain and Portugal). They settled in parts of Spain for a while. This is where the idea of "Andalusia" coming from "Vandalusia" comes from.
The Vandal Kingdom in North Africa
After living in Spain, the Vandals crossed the Strait of Gibraltar into North Africa in 429 AD. Their leader was a powerful king named Genseric.
Building a Kingdom
In North Africa, the Vandals created a strong kingdom. They captured important Roman cities like Carthage in 439 AD. Carthage became the capital of their new kingdom. The Vandal kingdom controlled important trade routes in the Mediterranean Sea.
Sacking Rome
One of the most famous events involving the Vandals was the sacking of Rome in 455 AD. King Genseric led his forces to the city. They took many treasures from Rome, but they did not burn the city down. This event made the Vandals very famous, and their name became linked with destruction.
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The End of the Vandal Kingdom
The Vandal kingdom in North Africa lasted for about 100 years. However, it eventually faced challenges from the Byzantine Empire.
Byzantine Conquest
In 533 AD, the Byzantine Emperor Justinian I sent a large army to North Africa. The army was led by a skilled general named Belisarius. The Byzantines quickly defeated the Vandal army.
Legacy of the Vandals
After their defeat, the Vandal kingdom ended. Many Vandals were either killed or became part of the Byzantine Empire. Today, the word "vandalism" comes from the Vandals. It means destroying or damaging property, even though the Vandals themselves didn't always destroy everything.
Images for kids
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Vandalic goldfoil jewellery from the 3rd or 4th century
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Neck ring with plug clasp from the Vandalic Treasure of Osztrópataka displayed at the Kunsthistorisches Museum in Vienna, Austria.
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Germanic and Proto-Slavic tribes of Central Europe around 3rd century BC.
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Reconstruction of an Iron Age warrior's garments representing a Vandalic man, with his hair in a "Suebian knot" (160 AD), Archaeological Museum of Kraków, Poland.
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Barbarian kingdoms and tribes after the end of the Western Roman Empire in 476
See also
In Spanish: Vándalos para niños
