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In 468 AD Emperor Leo I gathered an enormous fleet of 1113 ships and 100000 men and launched a camapign against the Vandal Kingdom... The plan was concerted between Eastern Emperor Leo, Western Emperor Anthemius, and Magister Militum per Illyricum Marcellinus, who enjoyed independence in Illyricum, while the Magister Militum per Thraciae Basiliscus was appointed supreme commander. Basiliscus was ordered to sail directly to Carthage, while Marcellinus attacked and took Sardinia, and a third army, commanded by Heraclius of Edessa, landed on the Libyan coast east of Carthage, making rapid progress. It appears that the combined forces met in Sicily, whence the three fleets moved at different periods...
King Gelimer was terrorised by the size of the Roman army and asked Basiliscus for 5 days so he could draw a peace instrument... In these 5 days Vandals build a fleet of fire ships and almost completely destroyed the Roman fleet... Basiliscus fled the battle and returned hastily to Constantinople...
WI The campaign was succesfull Vandals were annihilated and North Africa reverted once more to Roman Province? Could Leo I have used the resources for an early Reconquista? Hispania would be an easy target for such a huge fleet while Carthage serves as an excellent naval base...
How is that altering History? Any thoughts?
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