Battle of Cartagena (461)

For the 1741 attack on Cartagena, Colombia, see Battle of Cartagena de Indias.

Battle of Cartagena

Date	461 CE
Location	Cartagena, Spain
Result	Decisive Vandalic victory

Belligerents

Vandals

Western Roman Empire

Strength

17 ships

40 ships

Casualties and losses

40 ships

Fall of the Western Roman Empire

Adrianople Pollentia Verona Florence Faesulae Moguntiacum The Rhine Rome (410) Nervasos Mountains Narbonne Catalaunian Plains (Chalons) Aquileia Rome (455) Arelate Cartagena Orleans Cap Bon Ravenna

The Battle of Cartagena occurred on May 13, 461, and was part of the Wars of Majorian.

Background

In 457, the Roman general Majorian succeeded to the throne of the Western Roman Empire. He immediately set about restoring the empire to its former boundaries. Majorian then began to assemble a fleet at Cartagena, Spain, with which he intended to invade the Vandal Kingdom in North Africa.

The battle

By spring 461, Majorian had 40 ships already built and he would have had another five ready by the autumn. The Vandals decided to strike before the Roman navy became unbeatable. On May 13, a fleet of 17 Vandal ships surprised the Roman fleet. Many of the Roman captains had been bribed to switch sides. The Roman navy was totally destroyed, ending any hope of reconquering North Africa.

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