Attila the Hun
The Huns
All Germanic tribes were barbaric but
non were as intimidating as the Huns
 Invaded Europe in 4th century (300)
from China and Mongolia.
 Able to sustain the harsh weather and
winters
 No written records so little info about
their everyday life

Daily Life of a Hun

Migratory and took everything they owned
 Lived in Yurts (tented houses)
 For many years they spend their time
journeying from China to Europe. Some
stopped in Asia or Russia
 Landed in territory of Roman Empire had
some fighting but made peace with Hun King
Ruga.

Huns were very superstitious
–
Hung heads of horses on sticks around
camp to ward off evil spirits
– Told prophecies and the future.
– Attila found a sworn in the forest and said
must have come from sky and one who
carried it would defeat the world
Attila
Born in 406 AD Father died when young
 Encouraged to ride horses and use bow
and arrow
 As part of Roman agreement paid 350 lbs
of gold and both sides had hostages.

–
Attila went to live in Roman Empire learned to
read, write, and speak Latin
– Liked Roman organization but despised their
decadence (tendency towards material
things)

In twenties returned to the Huns
 As he got older had striking appearance
–

Tall, large head, beard, small eyes
When Attila 27 uncle Ruga died and Attila’s
brother Bleda became King. (Attila upset)
–
Roman had to increase their annual tribute and return
all Hun prisoners to avoid attack
– Helped his brother expand territory and kill and plunder
all over Europe

Didn’t last long…Attila killed his brother in 445 AD
and assumed the throne
Attila as King of the Huns
First tried to reorganize the Hun
empire. Didn’t trust Huns for advise.
Tried to unite with other Germanic
tribes
 Encouraged savage behavior

–

Pillaged churches and monasteries and
killed monks, women, children, and
desecrate the graves of dead and saints
Wanted to defeat Constantinople
Conquering

Conquered most of Italy until
reached Rome
–
Popes came out and tried to convince
not to attack Rome
– Advisors said that the last person to
attack Rome did not live long after that
– Advised that danger would happen if
he attacked. (later he was unhappy
with the peace)
Death of Attila

Married a young, beautiful German
woman. Legend has that they drank a
lot and he and she retired to their
bedroom and the next morning he was
found dead in a pool of blood
–
Natural causes due to drinking
– Wife murdered him for revenge for the
deaths of her countrymen who were killed
by Attila