Event Expansion of the Suebi

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this event you can find it here: All Statistics

Were the military campaigns by the King of the Suebi Rechila to expand his domains in the Iberian Peninsula.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. Suebian conquest of Merida

Military campaign by the King of the Suebi Rechila in Merida.

  • January 440: When King Rechila ascended the Swabian throne in 438, he launched expansionist campaigns against the Empire by occupying Merida.

2. Suebian conquest of Mertola

Military campaign by the King of the Suebi Rechila in Mertola.

  • January 441: Rechila continued his expansionist policy, and in 440 he successfully besieged and forced the surrender of a Roman officer, Count Censorio, in the strategic city of Mértola.

3. Suebian conquest of Baetica and Carthaginensis

Military campaign by the King of the Suebi Rechila in Baetica and Carthaginensis.

  • January 442: With the conquest of Seville, the capital of Baetica, the Swabians managed to bring Baetica and Carthaginian under their control. According to some scholars, however, the Swabian conquest of Baetica and Carthaginian was limited to plundering raids, and the Swabian presence was minute.

4. Suebian conquest of Seville

Military campaign by the King of the Suebi Rechila in Seville.

  • January 442: The following year, in 441, Rechila's armies captured Seville, some months after the death of the old king Hermeric, who had reigned for more than thirty years.

5. Defeat of Magister Militum Vitus

The Roman emperor sent magister militium Vitus to reconquer the territories lost by the Empire in the Iberian Peninsula but he was defeated by Suebian king Rechila.

  • February 447: In 446, the Romans sent the magister utriusque militiae Vitus to the provinces of Baetica and Carthaginian, who, assisted by a large number of Goths, attempted to subdue the Suevi and restore the imperial administration in Hispania. Rechila marched to clash with the Romans, and after defeating the Goths, turned Vito to flight.
  • January 447: In 446, the Romans sent the magister utriusque militiae Vitus to the provinces of Baetica and Carthaginian, who, assisted by a large number of Goths, attempted to subdue the Suevi and restore the imperial administration in Hispania. Rechila marched to clash with the Romans, and after defeating the Goths, turned Vito to flight.