Two fundamental questions were posed concerning King Genseric (AD 428-477). Firstly, we wondered how the most prominent of the six Vandal kings of Africa had managed not only to conquer the region, but also to establish himself there for a long time, eventually building a consolidated kingdom recognized by the Emperor of Constantinople. Then, we noted that his relationship with the Empire had another aspect, and, contrary to a current trend in research, we presented Genseric as a king who had certainly grown up within the Empire, but who had also challenged, and even destroyed, the material and political bases of power throughout the Western Empire.