Genseric was one of the greatest rulers of the Vandal Empire who was a prince of the Vandal people and was the mastermind behind its success and eventual expanses. His is a remarkable story about an incredible journey from poverty to power.
Genseric, who was born around 370 AD, was the eldest son of a Vandal family living on the eastern side of the Rhine, an area of Northern India that is now part of Germany. As a young boy, Genseric witnessed the long lasting Germanic migration happening and was deeply influenced by the change of political dynamics that shook up Europe. This is what molded him into an ambitious individual.
Genseric yearned for influence, wealth and power. He was determined and strategized ways in which he and his family could take advantage of the chaotic times and gain a kingly status. He set off along the coast of Spain where he could find means to accomplish this.
Around 400 AD, Genseric, along with his brother and thirty followers, boarded a pirate-like vessel and sailed into the Mediterranean Sea. During this venture, they raided many ships and settlements. He eventually took control of the ports of Morocco and the Canaries. Genseric now had a monopoly of the seas and acquired massive amounts of gold and became an influential man in North African trading areas.
By 429 AD, his successes had gained the attention of Emperor Honorius of the Western Roman Empire. He requested Genseric to pay allegiance to Rome and send away military forces that he had been using to raid shipments coming from the coast of Spain and Italy. To Honorius dismay, Genseric refused his request.
However, Genseric used this opportunity to reverse the odds and make a trait out of his successes thus far. He established the Vandal kingdom in Carthage and Hippo Regius, creating a new power in the Mediterranean.
Genseric continued to push further and forced the surrender of Siciliy by 455 AD, making it a Vandal possession. In 468 AD, Genseric defied the might of the Roman Empire by besieging and capturing Rome, convincing every Roman Emperor from his time to fear the Vandals.
Genseric only quit after ravaging and destroying a large portion of the city, taking with him a massive amount of wealth and resources. He was arguably the most feared man in Europe as he made it clear that Vandal threats were to be taken seriously.
In 477 AD, he withdrew from Rome and returned to Africa, where he was able to preserve the Vandal kingdom in Africa and ensure enough resources to ensure the kingdom’s survival. He was the last ruler of the Vandal Kingdom until it was conquered by the Byzantines in the 6th century.
Genseric died an impressive man with a successful and incredible career. He managed to take a small family and turn them into one of the most powerful kingdoms in Europe. His intelligence, ruthlessness and natural skill as a leader made him an empire builder who will be remembered as an important figure in European history.
