Garmul or Gasmul, was a Berber king of the Mauro-Roman Kingdom. He is known for his various military campaigns, and raids against the Byzantine rulers of North Africa.
| Garmul | |
|---|---|
| King of the Mauro-Roman Kingdom | |
| Reign | c. 570–578 |
| Predecessor | Last recorded previous ruler John |
| Born | Middle of the c. 6th century Possibly Medroussa |
| Died | c. 578 Between Mauretania Caesarea and Mauretania Tingitana |
| Religion | Christianity |
Biography
editGarmul is known for his various military campaigns, and raids against the Byzantine rulers of North Africa. in one of his raids, He destroyed a Byzantine army in 571,[1] launched raids into Byzantine territory, and three successive generals (the praetorian prefect Theodore and the magister militum Theoctistus in 570, and Theoctistus' successor Amabilis in 571) are recorded by John of Biclaro to have been killed in a battle by Garmul's forces.[2] His activities, especially when regarded together with the simultaneous Visigoth attacks in Spania, presented a clear threat to the province's authorities. Thus the new emperor, Tiberius II Constantine, re-appointed Thomas as praetorian prefect, and the able general Gennadius was posted as magister militum with the clear aim of ending Garmul's campaigns. Preparations were lengthy and careful, but the campaign itself, launched in 577–78, was brief and effective, with Gennadius utilizing terror tactics against Garmul's subjects. Garmul was defeated and killed by 579, and the coastal corridor between Tingitana and Caesariensis secured.[3] After the death of the old warrior, the Berbers were discouraged and ended up submitting under the domination of the Byzantine Empire.[4]
References
edit- ^ Unesco, GHA (2010). Trade in the western Mediterranean, AD 400-700, 439-700. California: University of California Press, 1981. p. 508. ISBN 978-0435948054.
- ^ PLRE IIIa, p. 504
- ^ El Africa Bizantina, pp. 45-46
- ^ Leclercq, Henri (1904). L'Afrique chrétienne (in French). V. Lecoffre.