ATTILA THE HUN was the ruler of the Huns, a small warlike tribe of barbarians, from 434 until his death in March 453. He was also the leader of a tribal empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, and Alans among others, in Central and Eastern Europe.
Far from the stereotype of the unwashed, uneducated barbarian, Attila was born into the most powerful family north of the Danube River.
During his reign, he was one of the most feared enemies of the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. He crossed the Danube twice and plundered the Balkans, but was unable to take Constantinople.
His unsuccessful campaign in Persia was followed in 441 by an invasion of the Eastern Roman Empire, the success of which emboldened Attila to invade the West. He also attempted to conquer Roman Gaul (modern France), crossing the Rhine in 451 and marching as far as Aurelianum (Orléans) before being stopped in the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
He subsequently invaded Italy, devastating the northern provinces, but was unable to take Rome. He planned for further campaigns against the Romans, but died in 453.
Attila’s death was not the fate you might have predicted for a great warrior and military leader. In March 453, He married a new wife. Some myths said this new wife Ildico, was the daughter of a Roman noble man.This was at a period Attila was preparing for another battle with Rome. On the wedding day he feasted and drank late into the night.
The next morning, after the king failed to appear, his guards broke down the door of the bridal chamber and found Attila dead.
Attila’s army grieved their lost leader by smearing their faces with blood and riding their horses in circles around the tent holding his body. That night, his body was encased in three coffins–one gold, one silver, one iron–and buried in a tomb filled with the weapons of his defeated enemies, along with jewels and other treasures.
After Attila’s death, his close adviser, Ardaric of the Gepids, led a Germanic revolt against Hunnic rule, after which the Hunnic Empire quickly collapsed.
Attila’s reputation has over the years been unfairly traduced in the course of generally rubbishing everything from that period that wasn’t Roman.
Roman Empire that the Huns ravaged repeatedly between 434 and 453 A.D. made the world see Attila as a “savage destroyer”. It was said that “the grass never grew on the spot where his horse had trod”.
For one thing, the barbarian leader was, for the most part, a man of his word. For years, he levied annual tribute from the Roman Empire. while the cost of peace with the Huns was considerable it did buy peace. As long as the tribute was paid, the Huns were quiet.
Some other barbarians extracted tribute and then attacked regardless.
More compelling, perhaps, is the high regard that Attila always placed on loyalty. He kept his promises.
So much for Attila the Hun and his many battles with Roman Empire.
It’s the lessons from there that I keep ruminating on.
Attila and the Huns were small fry compared to almighty Rome. There were many small tribes at that period but none dared face the mighty Roman Army.
At the beginning Rome underestimated Attila. They negotiated for peace but still went back on the deal.
Attila attacked Rome from the fringes and succeeded. Attila suffered his first and only defeat at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains.
Attila did not capture Rome.
But after Attila, other barbarian tribes, realising that Rome could be attacked, kept up pressures from many sides. The sudden feeling that Roman Army was not invincible afterall enboldened them. The increasing pressure from invading barbarians contributed greatly to the fall of Roman Empire.
Many people today are in the position of Rome, with empirical powers far and wide. In their might they look down on the little Attilas. Even when they raise eyebrows they can be settled and when the dust settles they can be dumped.
Yes, they may not have the power to pull you down individually, but a barrage of little barbarians can bring Rome down.
NEVER UNDERESTIMATE THE LITTLE LESS POWERFUL ONES AROUND YOU.
ALWAYS KEEP YOUR SIDE OF ANY BARGAIN.
NEVER GET CARRIED AWAY BY FESIVITIES, LIKE ATTILA ON HIS WEDDING NIGHT. (IN THE COMRADIUM WE SAY “IN THE MIDST OF HAPPINESS, THERE IS TERRIBLE DANGER”)
NEVER ALLOW EMOTIONS OVERRIDE REASONING. NO MATTER HOW BEAUTIFUL ILDICO WAS ATTILA SHOULD NOT HAVE CHOSEN HER.
So much more to learn. History is full of lessons.
