Vandals: why did this people become notorious

When it comes to the deliberate destruction of historical and architectural monuments, they usually say that an act of vandalism is committed, and those who committed it are called vandals. But initially this word had a different meaning.

The word "vandal" in its modern meaning, as a synonym for the destroyer of cultural and historical values, began to be used not so long ago, a little more than 100 years ago. Initially, vandals, or Wendels, were called Germanic tribes that lived in Europe, and during the era of the Great Migration of Peoples migrated to northern Africa and even founded their kingdom there.

The first mention of vandals dates back to the 1st century AD. The ancient Roman historian Pliny the Elder in his writings described the Germanic tribes, among which were mentioned the vandals who lived in the Elbe, Oder and Vistula rivers. In subsequent centuries, vandals have repeatedly migrated across Europe. In the IV century, due to clashes with the Goths and Huns, they were forced to move south, invading the Roman Empire, and gradually reached the African continent.

At the beginning of the 5th century, the Kingdom of Vandals and Alans was founded in northern Africa. It was located on the Mediterranean coast and also included the islands of Corsica and Sardinia. In addition to the Vandals, it included Alans (Iranian-speaking tribes related to the Scythians and Sarmatians), as well as a number of other tribes. In this place, the possessions and commercial interests of the Byzantine and Roman empires intersected, so the Kingdom of Vandals waged constant wars and organized military campaigns.

One of the most famous invasions, organized by the vandal king Geiserich, was the capture of Rome - the capital of the Roman Empire. In 455, another coup d'etat took place in Rome, and the vandals took advantage of the situation. For two weeks, their troops were in the city and were engaged in robberies, after which they left the capital, taking the captives with them.

This incident served as the pretext that people began to be called vandals, destroying historical and cultural values. Although the behavior of the Vandals was not much different from the behavior of the Romans, Byzantines or other peoples in those regions where they made military campaigns.

The Kingdom of Vandals lasted in Africa until 534. Over time, the vandals more and more adopted the way of life of the Romans, and their aristocrats were not much different from representatives of the upper strata of Roman society. The Kingdom of Vandals and Alans was finally destroyed after the invasion of the Byzantine Empire: the last King Helimer and the remnants of the Vandal army were captured. Following their state, the vandals themselves disappeared as a people, and soon they were no longer mentioned in historical chronicles.