WI Emperor Majorian had won the battle of Cartagena in 461 AD?

By spring 461, Western Emperor Majorian had 40 ships already built and he would have had another five ready by the autumn. Majorian himself had already defeated Theodoric's Visigoths and restored Roman rule in Southern Gaul and was marching towards Cartagena in order to join forces with his fleet and attack Vandals in Africa. The Vandals decided to strike before the Roman navy became unbeatable. On May 13, a fleet of 17 Vandal ships surprised the Roman fleet near Cartagena. Many of the Roman captains had been bribed to switch sides. The Roman navy was totally destroyed, ending any hope of reconquering North Africa.
WI Majorian had won the battle? Would he be able to oust Vandals from Africa? How is this altering History? Any thoughts?
 
Africa was indeed the critical point (though I personally think that the 468 expedition is a bit cleaner, involving merely a shift in the wind). Maiorianus, had he successfully reached Africa and smashed the Vandali, would have a semblance of a viable fiscal base again for the Western Empire. It'd gain a new lease on life (in a shrunken form, true) for maybe as much as a century. Problem is, Maiorianus is likely to use this to unseat the power behind the throne, Ricimerus. That'll cause a civil war, one that will be extremely messy. Dunno how that would play into further plans.
 
Africa was indeed the critical point (though I personally think that the 468 expedition is a bit cleaner, involving merely a shift in the wind). Maiorianus, had he successfully reached Africa and smashed the Vandali, would have a semblance of a viable fiscal base again for the Western Empire. It'd gain a new lease on life (in a shrunken form, true) for maybe as much as a century. Problem is, Maiorianus is likely to use this to unseat the power behind the throne, Ricimerus. That'll cause a civil war, one that will be extremely messy. Dunno how that would play into further plans.

I dont think that Majorian would try and face Ricimer in open field... Visigoths were still a threat to the Empire... If he wanted to get rid of him an assassination is more propable.... However regaining North Africa and reestablishing grain supply to Rome makes him more powerful and releases him from Ricimer's control... The question then would be which one would strike first? Majorian or Ricimer?
 
I dont think that Majorian would try and face Ricimer in open field... Visigoths were still a threat to the Empire... If he wanted to get rid of him an assassination is more propable.... However regaining North Africa and reestablishing grain supply to Rome makes him more powerful and releases him from Ricimer's control... The question then would be which one would strike first? Majorian or Ricimer?
Probably Ricimerus, who probably initiated the soldiers' revolt of later in 461 and who also evinced a willingness to do the same against Anthemius. As for the assassination, it's possible but I doubt either would be able to successfully assassinate an Emperor. Security's gotten better than it used to be, for the most part, since the times when a wrestler could kill Commodus in his bath.
 
Probably Ricimerus, who probably initiated the soldiers' revolt of later in 461 and who also evinced a willingness to do the same against Anthemius. As for the assassination, it's possible but I doubt either would be able to successfully assassinate an Emperor. Security's gotten better than it used to be, for the most part, since the times when a wrestler could kill Commodus in his bath.

I was referring to Majorian killing Ricimer... He would be stronger if he had captured North Africa... But if Majorian wanted to get rid of Ricimer he had to do it very quietly... Ricimer was of Visigoth extract on his mother's side and had ties with them... Surely Majorian wouldnt want to give Visigoths a pretext to start fooling arround again... Southern Gaul (which was recaptured months earlier) was still in danger of being overran by Visigoths... IMO If Majorian strikes first he gets rid of Ricimer quietly blames someone else for it and then prepares for a swift attack against Visigoths along with Eastern Emperor Leo I (its exactly the same scenario with the 468 campaign against the Vandals only this time it is against Visigoths...)
 
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