Geiseric

Geiseric was a king of the Vandals and Alans, a Germanic people who migrated from Scandinavia to North Africa. He was born around 400 AD and died in 477 AD. Geiseric led the Vandals in their conquest of North Africa from the Roman Empire, establishing a kingdom centered in Carthage. This kingdom became a significant power in the Western Mediterranean during the 5th century.

Under Geiseric's leadership, the Vandals achieved remarkable military successes. In 430 AD, they captured Carthage, a vital Roman port city, and in 439 AD, they defeated a Roman fleet, securing control of the seas. Geiseric's navy was a formidable force, allowing him to raid the coasts of Italy, Sicily, and Sardinia. The most famous of these raids was the Sack of Rome in 455 AD, which lasted for two weeks and resulted in significant plunder.

Geiseric was known for his strategic acumen and ruthless determination. He often played Roman factions against each other, exploiting the weakness of the declining Western Roman Empire. His reign also saw the establishment of an Arian Christian kingdom in North Africa, which led to religious tensions with the Catholic Roman population. Despite Roman attempts to regain control, Geiseric's kingdom remained independent until his death. His legacy is that of a powerful and influential barbarian king who significantly altered the political landscape of the late Roman world.