the Vandals

The Vandals were a Germanic tribe known for their role in the decline of the Western Roman Empire during the 5th century. They originally lived in what is now southern Poland, but migrated through Europe, eventually settling in North Africa. The Vandals are particularly noted for their conquest of Carthage in 455 AD, which allowed them to control important trade routes in the Mediterranean. Their reputation as fierce warriors and looters led to the term "vandalism," which describes deliberate destruction of property. The Vandal Kingdom lasted until the Byzantine Empire reconquered North Africa in the 6th century.