The capture of Carthage in 439 by the Vandals, led by their king Gaiseric, marked a pivotal moment in the history of North Africa and the Mediterranean. Carthage, founded by the Phoenicians and later a major center of Roman culture and trade, was seen as the jewel of Roman North Africa. The Vandals, a Germanic tribe who had settled in Spain and conducted raids across the western Roman Empire, sought greater influence and resources. Gaiseric recognized that seizing Carthage would not only increase his power but also provide a strategic position for controlling the Mediterranean Sea.

The conquest was relatively swift. Using their naval capabilities, the Vandals blockaded Carthage, cutting off supplies and communication. The Romans, under General Bonifacius, failed to mount a cohesive defense, and the city fell to the Vandals. Following the capture, Gaiseric established Carthage as the capital of the Vandal Kingdom, bringing with him a new governance structure that replaced the Roman administration and extended Vandal influence across North Africa and into Sicily and Italy.

Under Gaiseric's rule, Carthage became not only a stronghold of the Vandals but also a hub for piracy and raids against Roman shipping. The defeat of the Romans at Carthage signaled a decline in their control over North Africa, leading to further instability in the region. The Vandals gained considerable territory and their actions prompted Rome to rethink its military tactics in the face of increasing barbarian incursions. This moment set the stage for future conflicts between the Romans and various Germanic tribes, influencing the events that would lead to the fall of the Western Roman Empire.