Attila the Hun

The Scourge of God ruled from 434 until his death in 453.

Attila (c. 406 – 453), frequently called Attila the Hun and known by the nickname The Scourge of God, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in early 453. He led an empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Gepids in Central and Eastern Europe. As a nephew to Rugila, he succeeded him alongside his elder brother Bleda in 435, ruling jointly until Bleda's death in 445. During his reign, Attila was one of the most feared enemies of the Western and Eastern Roman Empires. He crossed the Danube twice, plundered the Balkans, and defeated a second army near Callipolis (Gelibolu), though he was unable to take Constantinople due to its double walls. In 441, he invaded the Eastern Roman Empire, which emboldened him to invade the West. He attempted to conquer Roman Gaul in 451, crossing the Rhine and marching as far as Aurelianum (Orléans) before being stopped at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains. He subsequently invaded Italy, devastating northern provinces but failing to take Rome. After his death in 453, Ardaric of the Gepids led a Germanic revolt that caused the Hunnic Empire to collapse.

Quick Facts

Regent

Bleda (434–445)

Predecessor

Ruga

Successor

Ellac
Dengizich
Ernak

Died

453 (aged 46–47)

Spouse

Kreka
Ildico
Gudrun/Kreimhild (Legend)

Father

Mundzuk

Reader's Guide

The Huns were a society of pastoral warriors whose primary nourishment came from meat and milk. Their main military techniques were mounted archery and javelin throwing. Attila ruled jointly with his brother Bleda until 445, then led the empire alone until 453. His death triggered a revolt by Ardaric of the Gepids that ended Hunnic rule.

Did You Know?

Priscus, a Byzantine diplomat, is the only person known to have recorded a physical description of Attila.
Attila was described as having a flat nose, swarthy skin, small eyes, and a thin beard sprinkled with grey.
The name 'Attila' likely derives from the Gothic word 'atta' (father) plus the suffix '-ila', meaning 'little father'.
After Attila's death in 453, his empire collapsed quickly due to a Germanic revolt led by Ardaric of the Gepids.