The Vandals

300 years before the Vikings, Scandinavia was inhabited by fierce warriors known as Vandals. In the fifth century AD, they swept south, sacked Rome and established a kingdom in North Africa until they were driven out by Belisarius. In the 19th century excavations at Vendel unearthed many ship-burials. Among the grave goods were helmets very similar to the type found at Sutton Hoo, and those worn by the Vandals' Viking descendents. Is this evidence the Saxons and Vikings were once part of the same culture? Or did the two societies trade metalwork?

Depends on which theory your backing.

Edited by Centrix Vigilis - 04-Oct-2011 at 11:42

What was their religion? Didn't they believe in Thor and Woden like their Viking descendents, the Franks, and the pagan Saxons?

Edited by Nick1986 - 04-Oct-2011 at 20:35

In the English-speaking world we continue to honor the gods of the Germanic pagans: Tuesday is the day of Tyr, Wednesday is the day of Odin, Thursday is the day of Thor, and Friday is the day of Frey. Saturday is named after the Greek god Saturn, but originally it was called Laurdag: Bath day

Nick,they were Christians with true faith.Ancient Amish community maybe they were.Either behind this story stands biggest pilgrimage have ever happened in Biblical land of Jesus Christ,or pilgrimage was cover for forced migration?!?Whatever they were,Vandals were not they,but those that convinced them and sent
them in exile.


Edited by medenaywe - 06-Oct-2011 at 02:24

Yes alas it's an association. But one that has been developed as a result of their actions as they migrated. So to the Huns. At this point this is how they are remembered. History, that shy and fickle lady of bitchiness on occassion, has spoken.

Originally posted by Centrix Vigilis Ollios makes a good point there.... as iirc.... they were Catholics by they time they ventured into Africa. I don't recall about Gaul or Spain. At the sack of Rome in 455AD I believe they were still pagans. Clarification anyone?

The Vandals weren't Catholics when they invaded North Africa. They were Arians. In fact, there was quite a bit of tension and conflict between the native Catholics and their new Arian overlords. Eventually the two groups tolerated each other more, and we even saw some Vandals convert to Catholicism, but that wasn't until closer to the tail end of their reign there.

Rome wasn't sacked until after the Vandals had invaded Africa. They put to good use the Roman fleet that they had captured and used it to raid Italy and eventually Rome itself. So they were Arians then as well.

Mind, I did find some information about Catholic Vandals converting to Arianism during their stay in Spain. Possibly a result of Visigothic influence.


Edited by ConradWeiser - 06-Oct-2011 at 20:54

sir Isaak Newton followed Arianism. Could it be that he was a Vandal?

Originally posted by Baal Melqart Originally posted by Karalem sir Isaak Newton followed Arianism. Could it be that he was a Vandal? I doubt Isaac Newton followed Arianism, I mean the religion pretty much vanished some time in the 3rd century when it was denounced as heresy by the church.

I kind of thought he was joking. In any case, being Arian doesn't necessitate you being a Vandal. The Goths were also Arian. Doesn't mean they're secretly Vandals.

As to Newton's views, there is an entire wikipedia article on the matter: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Isaac_Newton%27s_religious_views

Does this thread really belong in the Ancient Mediterranean?