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 youngEncouraged to ride horses and use bow

and arrowAs 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