Today the word vandal means a person that destroys without purpose. Yet originally the word was the name of a
tribe of
barbarians that were active 1,600 years ago. It was the original Vandals who gave the modern word its meaning.
As the might of
Rome fell into decay, the barbarians swarmed over the borders. Most tribes were content with
bribes or gifts of
land. The Vandals were not.
Scorning all gifts they were offered by the Romans, the Vandals were only interested in
plundering and
destruction. In the early 5th century the Vandals swept through
Gaul, leaving a trail of
ruin behind them. Then they marched into
Spain. Here they wrought havoc and bloodshed for twenty years.
The Vandal fighting force crossed to
Africa to raid new lands. Here the Vandals captured a
fleet and crossed to
Italy. Their next act was to sack Rome.
Everywhere they went, the Vandals behaved atrociously. The Romans had become used to uncultured barbarians, but the Vandals were different. Most barbarians enjoyed
luxury. They could be won over with
treasure or soft living. The Vandals seemed to delight in destroying beautiful objects. They would destroy works of art and books for no reason. For nearly a century the Vandals roamed and destroyed almost at will.
In AD 533 the Vandals were finally smashed by the
Byzantines. Their career of destruction was over.