I Vandali in Sardegna

Due to the lack of sources and to different interpretations, an outline of the history of Sardinia during the Vandalic age is rather difficult. After an increasing number of raids, the island was definitively occupied by Genseric’s troops around 470. The Vandals maintained the existing imperial administrative structure and the organization of countrysides and cities, installed a small army contigent and granted a certain freedom to the local church, though they might have tried to promote Arianism. However, the character of Godas and the presence of Mauri in the province are still in debate. The arrival in the island of political and ecclesiatical personalities gave new vigour to the cultural and economic life. Nevertheless, the African economic crisis impacted strongly also on the island; after a short time under the rule of Godas in 532, Sardinia came under direct Byzantine control in 534.