A sudden storm destroys the Vandal fireships as they head toward the Roman fleet. The Romans then inflict a decisive two-part defeat against the unsuspecting Vandal fleet that IOTL blocked the Romans from escaping, and then on the remains of Geiseric's original fleet attempting to escape to Carthage. Geiseric is killed.
The Romans reclaim Carthage and all of Vandal north Africa. Ricimer, suprized at the victory, attempts to assassinate Anthemius but fails. Anthemius, backed by the overwhelming support of the people and aristocracy, have Ricimer executed and makes Marcellinus and Gundobad magister militum in the eastern style that he intended to copy. By making Gundobad magister militum, he guarantees the loyalty of the armies in Gaul.
Anthemius then orders an invasion of Hispania. Gundobad moves south into Visigoth territory, while Marcellinus and Basiliscus sail their forces to Mauritania, secure the coastline, bring together the Roman outposts and gather more forces to invade the south of Iberia. Heraclius and his army consolidates Roman rule in Carthage.
The two pronged invasion catches the Visigoths off guard. Their navy is sunk by Basiliscus and his fleet, and the massive Roman force takes Carthago Nova with ease and, under the command of Marcellinus, marches up towards Cordoba. The Visiogoths rally an army against Gundobad, and he is driven back into Narbo after a minor defeat, but at the expense of forces in the south, which are defeated by Marcellinus at Toledo. Euric himself commands Visigothic forces in the east for a stand at Valentia.
Marcellinus and Basiliscus split up. Basiliscus heads north to aid Gundobad's forces, while Marcellinus marches to Valentia and destroys Euric's army there. Euric escapes to Caesaraugusta and musters up another army.
The Visigoth kingdom begins to crumble, and Gundobad takes Tarraco while Basiliscus defeats and captures Euric at Caesaraugusta. All the forces are consistantly gaining back losses after every city taken as confidance in Rome swells.
Meanwhile in Rome, Anthemius is reorganizing the government and economy, and attacking corruption. He uses wealth gained during the African and Spanish campaigns to pay for a refurbishing of the city of Rome, which he makes the Imperial Capital once more.
Rome has risen from the ashes and is reclaiming its former legacy.