North Africa supplied much of Rome's grain, making its loss a strategic blow to the western empire. Elliott argues that the Vandals adopted ships, crews, and maritime knowledge from conquered Roman territories. Operating from former Roman possessions in Spain and North Africa, they used those resources for sustained maritime raiding. Their naval expedition sacked Rome in AD 455, showing how a successor power could turn former imperial capability against the West.
Chapter · 21:27-22:11
Vandal sea power strikes Roman North Africa and Rome
The Vandals absorb Roman maritime skills and use sea power to raid the western Mediterranean and sack Rome in AD 455.