Theodoric's Africa

The Vandals had crossed to Spain from Africa in 429 under King Genserich. The loss of Africa was one of the major death blows dealt to the western Roman Empire. Its capture meant that suddenly the Imperial government in Ravenna no longer had the cash to pay for the soldiers to retake their lost provinces. Another key problem in losing Africa was losing control of the sea. For centuries the Romans had called the Mediterranean our sea. It allowed for the safe movement of grain, goods and soldiers to maintain the empire. African grain kept the city of Rome fed and African taxes helped pay for armies needed to defend the Rhine and Danube frontiers.