Who Was Attila the Hun?
Attila the Hun was born around 406 AD in Pannonia, one of the provinces of the Roman Empire, alongside his brother Bleda. In 434 AD, both brothers were appointed as co-rulers of the Huns. However, in 445 AD, Attila killed Bleda, subsequently becoming the sole ruler of the Hunnic Empire. His reign lasted from 434 AD until his death in 453 AD. He earned the title “Flagellum Dei,” a Latin term meaning “Scourge of God,” reflecting the devastation he wrought across lands stretching from the Black Sea to the Mediterranean. This title was further solidified by the murder of his brother, as Attila expanded his rule to encompass numerous Germanic tribes, establishing himself as one of the most formidable barbarian leaders to assault the Roman Empire.
What is Attila the Hun’s Family Background?
Attila belonged to a royal lineage, being the son of Mongus and an unidentified mother. He and his brother Bleda were raised in relative privilege. Attila was part of the Hunnic tribe, which had migrated from Central Asia to Europe around 370 AD.
What Set Attila the Hun Apart?
Historian Edward Gibbon noted that Attila was notorious for his fierce gaze, often rolling his eyes to convey an enjoyment in the terror he instigated. Reports suggest that he intimidated people by claiming to possess the actual sword of Mars, the Roman god of war.
Attila’s Campaigns Against the Roman Empire
Here are the key highlights regarding Attila’s assaults on the Roman Empire:
- In 434 AD, Attila initiated an attack on the Roman Empire, compelling Emperor Theodosius II to pay tribute in exchange for protection. However, Attila violated the terms of this treaty and ravaged cities along the Danube River.
- Subsequently, he advanced deep into the empire, completely destroying Naissus and Serdica, before directing his forces toward Constantinople, where he defeated Eastern Roman troops in several battles.
- Ultimately, he reached the shores north and south of Constantinople but recognized the futility of assaulting the city’s formidable defenses, which had been significantly reinforced by Theodosius II. Attila then retreated, annihilating the remaining forces of the Eastern Roman Empire.
- New Eastern Roman Emperor Marcian and Western Roman Emperor Valentinian III refused to pay tribute, leading Attila to muster his army and invade Gaul. He was defeated by Aetius in 451 AD at the Battle of Châlons, who had allied with the Visigoths.
The Final Years of Attila’s Life
In 452 AD, Attila invaded Italy, pillaging several cities. However, he departed that same year without crossing the Apennines, mainly due to famine and widespread disease in Italy. In 453 AD, he planned an assault on the Eastern Empire, as the new emperor Marcian rejected the payment of tribute, while Theodosius II had agreed to it. Attila’s life came to an end after he was discovered dead following a grand feast on his wedding night; his bride, Ildico, was one of several wives. It remains uncertain whether Attila was murdered or succumbed to natural causes. His burial took place in a tri-metallic coffin made of gold, silver, and iron, and those responsible for his interment were subsequently killed to prevent the location of his grave from being revealed.
After Attila’s Death
The aftermath of Attila’s death saw the disintegration of the Hunnic Empire, as his sons clashed against each other. Within a few decades, the western half of the Roman Empire also fell, an outcome that Attila had long feared—the collapse of his kingdom.