The Historians' History of the World 07 [The History of the Later Roman Empire]

429 The entire Vandal nation settled in Spain, numbering about 80,000, under the leadership of Genseric, crosses over to Africa, invited, it is said, by Boniface, governor of Africa, then in disgrace at the court of Ravenna. These Vandals pursue a rapid plan of conquest, and are soon in the possession of the whole of Roman Africa except Carthage, Hippo, and Cirta.

431 Capture of Hippo after long siege. Death of St. Augustine.

435 Treaty between Genseric and Valentinian III, by which the Romans retain only Carthage and vicinity.

439 Without any provocation Genseric or Gaiseric suddenly attacks and captures Carthage. He dates the foundation of his kingdom from this year. His reign is one of warfare. He builds a large fleet for piratical purposes and makes Carthage the leading maritime power of the Mediterranean. The Catholic Christians are much persecuted.

455 Capture and sack of Rome by Genseric, at invitation of Valentinian’s widow Eudoxia.

477 Huneric, Genseric’s eldest son, married to Eudocia, daughter of Eudoxia, succeeds at death of Genseric. An ardent Arian, he persecutes the Catholics.

484 Gunthamund or Gundamund, cousin of Huneric, succeeds him at his death.

496 Thrasamund becomes king on Gunthamund’s death. The people are rapidly becoming degenerate through effects of climate, luxury, and vice.

523 On death of Thrasamund, Hilderic, son of Huneric, succeeds. He favours Catholicism and restores bishops and churches.

531 The unpopular Hilderic dethroned and imprisoned, his cousin Gelimer placed on the throne.

533 To avenge the wrongs of Hilderic, Justinian sends Belisarius to invade kingdom. Capture of Carthage. Battle of Tricamarum and rout of the Vandals. Flight of Gelimer.

534 Surrender of Gelimer. End of the kingdom. The Vandals carried to Constantinople and sent to serve against the Parthians. A few hundred escape to Africa and take part in an insurrection against Belisarius which he quells with difficulty (536). The Vandals disappear from history. THE HERULIANS AND OSTROGOTHS IN ITALY (476-555 A.D.)

Attila, king of the Huns, does not succeed in founding a state in the Roman Empire. At his death (453) the kingdom of the Huns falls to pieces. The Gepids recover their liberty; the Slavonic tribes follow suit, and gradually make their way into Eastern Europe, their present home.

475 Odoacer or Odovaker, leader of the Herulians, a military commander in the employ of the emperor, is moved by the act of Orestes in deposing Julius Nepos to attack Orestes in Pavia. Capture and execution of Orestes.

476 This leads to the deposition of the emperor Romulus Augustulus, son of Orestes, and Odoacer is proclaimed king. The emperor Zeno at Constantinople, who, with his successors, remains only titular emperor of Italy, confers the patrician dignity on Odoacer.

488 Zeno commissions Theodoric, king of the Ostrogoths, to undertake the affairs of Italy.

493 Defeat of Odoacer by Theodoric the Great at Ravenna. Theodoric kills Odoacer and becomes king of Italy. He settles at Ravenna, the capital of the Western Empire since the time of Honorius, and assumes name of Flavius. Is recognised by Anastasius at Constantinople. Though professing allegiance to Rome, Theodoric establishes an independent monarchy.

507 After defeat of the Visigoths at Voulon, Theodoric assists them in defeating the Merovingians at Arles. Theodoric adds most of the Visigothic possessions in France to his kingdom. He also governs the Visigothic kingdom for his young grandson Amalaric.

524 Theodoric has the philosopher Boethius and his father-in-law Symmachus put to death for their efforts on behalf of Albinus.

526 Death of Theodoric. His young grandson Athalaric succeeds under regency of his mother, Amalasuntha.

534 Athalaric dies of the plague. Theodatus or Theodahad, a nephew of Theodoric, is elected king. He murders Athalaric’s mother, and in consequence brings on a war with the empire.

536 Theodatus defeated by Belisarius and killed by his own soldiers. Witiges is elected king. Belisarius continues the war against the Ostrogoths.

537-538 Siege of Rome by Belisarius.

540 Witiges captured by Belisarius and taken to Constantinople where he dies three years later. Theodebald or Hildibald elected.

541 Theodebald gains a victory over Belisarius, but is murdered by his body-guard, and Eraric succeeds him. He enters into negotiations with Justinian, which displeases his subjects, and Totila or Baduila is elected in his place.

542 Totila captures Naples.

546 Totila captures Rome. Belisarius recovers it the following year.

552 Narses replaces Belisarius in Italy. Defeat and death of Totila at battle of Taginæ. Theias or Teias is elected king.

553 Defeat and death of Theias at the Draco. The Ostrogoths conclude the war on condition that they be allowed to leave Italy. Failure of the expedition of the Alamannian leaders, Leutharis and Butilin, to oppose Narses. Italy once more becomes part of the Roman Empire. THE EXARCHATE OVER ALL ITALY (553-568 A.D.)