Biography Of Attila, The Scourge Of God

In the mid-fifth century AD, the Western Roman Empire, already disintegrated from the so-called “Byzantine Empire”, was a sickly old man. In the occupied regions of Europe, it would still be several centuries before other stable states took hold. However, although volatile in the eyes of history, in those moments, powers capable of challenging the Eternal City were born. One of the best known was the tribe of the Huns, led by the famous Attila, whose biography we are going to present today. Its power was such that the extent of its domains surpassed even that of the Roman world.

The image we have of the leader of the Huns is, in many cases, that of a cruel barbarian. It was the first of many ruthless, relentless, and unknown eastern invaders who would come to devastate the western world.

A role that would later fall to Tamerlane, Genghis Khan or, more recently, Communist China. However, in addition to the sources most used to know this character, there are others that give more equal views. In the Norse sagas Attila is a noble warrior, in the news from the embassy of the Roman Priscus, a gallant courtier.

Biography of Attila, King of the Huns

In AD 445, Bleda, Attila’s brother, died. They say that there was a certain implication of Atila in the event, but this has not been proven. Anyway, from this moment on our protagonist inherited the throne.

Its people, coming from somewhere in the Asian steppes and quoted in Chinese sources, ruled at that time various barbarian tribes, such as the Saxons and the Alans. Attila’s domains would extend from the Balkans to Jutland, from the River Rhine to beyond the River Don. His warrior skills already allowed him to challenge Rome, but also to support her as a mercenary.

In an increasingly decadent empire, in which successive generals assumed the throne in a precarious political balance, the barbarians once despised by Rome were gaining status through arms. While the Visigoths, Franks and Swabians settled in the lands of the Empire, the Huns preferred their payment in gold in exchange for their help, suppressing the revolts that ravaged the Empire. However, political alliances were not without betrayal.

Attila’s fury

Theodosius II, emperor of the Eastern Roman Empire in Constantinople, plotted a plot with members of Attila’s court to assassinate him. Though he failed, his successor Martian prolonged the insults, refusing to pay the agreed tribute to the Huns. These two facts ended the warlord’s patience, who threw himself into battle.

From this moment on, Attila gained the reputation of an indomitable general. This nickname was not accidental. Over the course of his military career, he was able to besiege Constantinople, attack the Balkans twice, invade Italy, and reach the gates of Rome. There, Pope Leo X was the only one able to persuade him not to plunder the city. Few before him can boast of such feats.

Not all were victories, as early in his campaigns he suffered defeat by Roman and Visigoth troops. Confronted with Aetius, the last great Roman general, and Theodoric, the founder of the Visigoth kingdom of Toulouse, the Huns fell into the Catalan countryside.

A child’s right to his father’s inheritance

In addition to all the Roman insults, it seems that another fact motivated Attila’s enmity with Rome. Emperor Valentinian III decided to separate his sister Honoria from the August family. The emperor had only one daughter, married to the son of Aetius. Honoria, in turn, had male children, legitimate heirs to the throne according to Roman law.

Honoria decided to ask the Hun king for help, sending him the ring with the seal that proved her identity. In an episode worthy of the best of tragedies, the barbarian decided to face the imperial armies in defense of the princess who, according to him, had asked him to marry him. He would defend the rights of his adopted children to the throne.

Biography of Attila, a very polite barbarian

Of all the authors who spoke about Attila’s biography, the most discordant is Priscus. This Roman historian was part of an embassy at the court of the Huns and knew the character beyond rumor.

As shocking as it may sound, he insists they were given hospitality and generosity at all times. Attila invited all his guests to feast on plates of gold and silver, while he ate a simple meal on wooden plates.

After more than 1,500 years, Attila is more its legend than its history. In his memory, the two blend together and are not always easy to tell apart.