About Amalafrida
Lived 460 – 526 (aged 65–66). Amalafrida was a consort.
Amalafrida (; before 475 – fl. 523) was queen of the Vandals by marriage to Thrasamund. She was the daughter of Theodemir, king of the Ostrogoths, and his wife Erelieva. She was the sister of Theodoric the Great, and mother of Theodahad, both of whom were kings of the Ostrogoths.
In 500, Theodoric, ruler over the Ostrogothic Kingdom in Italy, arranged a marriage alliance with Thrasamund, king of the Vandals in North Africa, to further cement his authority over the Vandals. Thrasamund became Amalfrida's second husband. She brought a very large dowry, but also 1,000 Gothic elite warriors plus 5,000 armed retainers.
After her husband Thrasamund's death, his successor Hilderic issued orders for the return of all the Catholic bishops from exile, and Boniface, a strenuous asserter of orthodoxy, bishop of the African Church. In response, Amalfrida headed a party of revolt; she called in the assistance of the Moors, and battle was joined at Capsa, about three hundred miles to the south of the capital Carthage, on the edge of the Libyan desert.
In 523, Amalafrida's party was beaten, and Hilderic had her arrested and imprisoned in a successful bid to overthrow Ostrogothic hegemony; he also had her Gothic soldiers killed. She died in prison, exact date unknown.
Amalafrida had two children, the aforementioned Theodahad and Amalaberga, who married Hermanfrid, king of the Thuringii. It is not known who the father of these children was.
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Important facts
People in Amalafrida's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Amalafrida's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Amalafrida?
Princess of Ostrogoths
When was Amalafrida born?
Amalafrida was born in 460.
When did Amalafrida die?
Amalafrida died in 526.
What was Amalafrida's occupation?
Amalafrida was a consort.
What nationality was Amalafrida?
Amalafrida's recorded nationality: Goths.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Amalafrida. https://biography.guide/amalafrida/
MLA: "Amalafrida." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/amalafrida/.
Chicago: "Amalafrida." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/amalafrida/.
Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.
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