Attila the Hun

Attila the Hun is credited with many important conquests like that of the Balkans and Gaul (modern France). His refusal to attack Constantinople or Rome, Italy, and the belief that his sword was acquired by miraculous means have made him a legend. History records this king as both, cruel and rapacious as well as great and noble. The Norse sagas extol his rule as the tribal king of nomadic horsemen. His army was known for its perpetual readiness for battle, the composite bow and unusual mobility. The physical description of Attila is available through paintings. Attila was short, with a large head and broad chest. He is believed to have had small eyes, a thin beard, flat nose and tanned skin.

Attila becomes King

Attila took over the leadership of the tribe after his brother's death. Instead of bargaining with the representatives of the Byzantine Empire, Attila handled negotiations with the Romans. The result was the return of captives and an increase in the 'tribute' paid to the Huns. The tribute thus earned got the Huns a regular supply of 115 kgs of gold! On returning to the Great Plain of Hungary, Attila planned an invasion of the Persian Empire and subsequently after a defeat, he turned his attention towards Europe. The Hun repertoire of military sophistication was used in a number of subsequent attacks against the Roman Empire, defying the earlier agreement. The Huns then withdrew into the interior and around 445 BC, Attila took over the throne, becoming the sole ruler. He successfully led the tribe against the Roman army in 447 BC and defeated it, inflicting huge losses. This established the Huns as conquerors of the Balkans. Constantinople was damaged too and had to reconstruct the line of fortification.

Honoria

Attila intended to attack the kingdom of Emperor Valentinian III. But when his intentions reached the ears of the de facto ruler, he influenced Attila's plans with a number of gifts and diplomatic efforts. At that time, Valentinian's sister asked for Attila's help to escape from an unwelcome betrothal to some Roman senator. Attila interpreted her plea for help on his own terms and accepted the treaty for peace, with a dowry that comprised half of the western Empire. Valentinian discovered the conspiracy of his sister and Attila and on his mother's behest, exiled Honoria. Attila swore revenge and led the army in what resulted in a bloody battle.

Attila extended his kingdom from Gaul to the Atlantic Ocean. His progress was hampered by Aëtius who took help from the Franks and the Celts. The combined armies checked and contained Hunnish advance in the Battle of Châlons. The Visigoth-Roman alliance resulted in loss that made Attila retreat, allowing the Romans to appear victorious. Attila returned to claim Honoria in 452 BC, invading Italy on the way. The birth of the city of Venice, Italy, is the result of these attacks, which forced the residents to flee to the islands in the lagoon. Attila razed Aquileia and built a castle in the north to watch the city burn! It was an epidemic that made Attila halt his invasions beyond River Po.

Death of a Warrior

After Italy, Attila turned his attention towards Constantinople again. However, his plans were never realized, as Attila died in 453 BC. Legend has it that after his marriage to the beautiful Ildico, he suffered a bout of nosebleed and choked to death. The condition on record states that he was in a stupor. This is not all; there is another account of his death. It is also believed that Attila was pierced by his wife. The third version states that the 'natural death' is a cover story to conceal the political motives behind Attila's death. Legend has it that his horsemen galloped in circles around the tent. They lamented over his burial place and there was a great feast arranged. He was laid in a triple coffin made of iron, gold and silver and buried along with some spoils of war. His coffin was lowered into the Tisza riverbed, and the men at his burial were killed to keep the location a secret.