Editing Vandals (section)

====Turbulent end====
{{Main|Vandalic War}}
[[File:Meister von San Vitale in Ravenna 013.jpg|thumb|right|This bearded figure may depict [[Belisarius]]. It stands to the right of Emperor [[Justinian I]] in the mosaic in the [[Basilica of San Vitale|Church of San Vitale]] in [[Ravenna]], which celebrates the reconquest of Italy by the [[Byzantine army]] under the skillful leadership of Belisarius.]]

[[Hilderic]] (523–530) was the Vandal king most tolerant towards the [[Catholic Church]]. He granted it religious freedom; consequently, Catholic synods were once more held in North Africa. However, he had little interest in war, and left it to a family member, [[Hoamer]]. When Hoamer suffered a defeat against the [[Moors]], the [[Arianism|Arian]] faction within the royal family led a revolt, raising the banner of national Arianism, and his cousin [[Gelimer]] (530–534) became king. Hilderic, Hoamer and their relatives were thrown into prison.<ref name= Bury131>{{harvnb|Bury|1923|p=131}}</ref>

[[Byzantine Empire|Byzantine]] Emperor [[Justinian I]] declared war, with the stated intention of restoring Hilderic to the Vandal throne. The deposed Hilderic was murdered in 533 on Gelimer's orders.<ref name= Bury131/> While an expedition was en route, a large part of the Vandal army and navy was led by [[Tzazo]], Gelimer's brother, to Sardinia to deal with a rebellion. As a result, the armies of the Byzantine Empire commanded by [[Belisarius]] were able to land unopposed {{convert|10|mi}} from Carthage. Gelimer quickly assembled an army,<ref name= Collins126>{{harvnb|Collins|2000|p=126}}</ref> and met Belisarius at the [[Battle of Ad Decimum]]; the Vandals were winning until Gelimer's brother [[Ammatas]] and nephew Gibamund fell in battle. Gelimer then lost heart and fled. Belisarius quickly took Carthage while the surviving Vandals fought on.<ref>{{harvnb|Bury|1923|pp=133–135}}</ref>

On December 15, 533, Gelimer and Belisarius clashed again at the [[Battle of Tricamarum]], some {{convert|20|mi|km|0}} from Carthage. Again, the Vandals fought well but eventually broke, this time when Gelimer's brother Tzazo fell in battle. Belisarius quickly advanced to [[Hippo Regius|Hippo]], second city of the Vandal kingdom, and in 534 Gelimer surrendered to the Byzantine conqueror, which marks the end of the Vandal kingdom.
[[File:Vandal cavalryman, c. AD 500, from a mosaic pavement at Bordj Djedid near Carthage.jpg|thumb|Vandal cavalryman, ''c.'' AD 500, from a [[mosaic]] pavement at [[Zaghouan Aqueduct#Cistern of Bordj Djedid|Bordj Djedid]] near Carthage]]

North Africa, comprising northern Tunisia and eastern Algeria in the Vandal period, became a Roman province again, from which the Vandals were [[deportation |expelled]]. Many Vandals went to [[Saldae]] (today called [[Béjaïa]] in north Algeria) where they integrated with the Berbers. Many others were put into imperial service or fled to the two Gothic kingdoms, the [[Ostrogothic Kingdom| Ostrogothic]] and the [[Visigothic Kingdom]]. Some Vandal women married Byzantine soldiers and settled in north Algeria and Tunisia. The choicest Vandal warriors were formed into five cavalry regiments, known as ''Vandali Iustiniani'', stationed on the [[Roman-Persian Wars| Persian frontier]]. Some entered the private service of Belisarius.<ref>{{harvnb|Bury|1923|pp=124–150}}</ref> The 1913 ''Catholic Encyclopedia'' states that "Gelimer was honourably treated and received large estates in [[Galatia]]. He was also offered the rank of a patrician but had to refuse it because he was not willing to change his Arian faith".<ref name= CE/> In the words of historian Roger Collins: "The remaining Vandals were then shipped back to [[Constantinople]] to be absorbed into the imperial army. As a distinct ethnic unit they disappeared".<ref name= Collins126/> Few Vandals remained in North Africa, while more migrated back to Spain.<ref name= Bam/> In 546 the Vandalic [[Dux]] of [[Numidia (Roman province)|Numidia]], [[Guntarith]], defected from the Byzantines and raised a rebellion with Moorish support. He was able to capture Carthage, but was assassinated by the Byzantines shortly afterwards.{{cn|date=September 2022}}