Attila the Hun
By Matthew Karges
Huns beginning
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Came from Mongolian
area
Attacked China which
triggered the building of
the Great Wall of China
Chinese defeat Hunnic
tribes causing them to
split
Western group moves
towards Volga River and
shows up in Europe
United by Rua
Attila the Hun
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Born in 406
Father was Mundzuk
and mother was
unknown
Rua, leader of the
Huns, was his uncle
Had a brother named
Bleda
Becoming a leader
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In 434, Attila’s uncle Rua
dies
Attila and older brother
Bleda take over
Because of continued
pressure to Eastern
Roman Empire, a treaty
was signed making the
Eastern Empire pay 700
pounds of gold per year
Huns were a mercenary
army
Taking Leadership
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In 445, Attila murdered Bleda
Became sole leader of Huns
Ruled with absolute authority
Army attacked swiftly and suddenly
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Dispersed then came together
Huns fight without regard to their own safety
Attila (Cont’d)
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Attila was called the Scourge of God
He was rumored to have eaten two of his children
Eastern Romans refusal to pay tribute angered Attila
Decided to take out anger on Western Roman Empire
Scandal
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Vandals urged Attila
to attack the Visigoths
Defeat of Visigoths
would lessen pressure
on the Vandals
Scandal (cont’d)
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Honoria, Roman Princess,
was imprisoned because
of an affair
She sent Attila a ring and
a message asking Attila
to be her champion
Attila asks for half of
Western Roman Empire
as wedding dowry
Plans to attack Western
Empire to claim his lands
with a huge army
Result
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Only though an alliance of Romans and Visigoths are the Huns
defeated
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Huns escape
The next year, the Huns attack Italy with 100,000 soldiers
Take much of Italy but do not attack Rome because of a deal with
the Pope
Death
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Attila dies of a hemorrhage
The hemorrhage was because of drinking from his
wedding night
Sons divide empire
Empire dissolves