ATTILA
TRIBE: The Huns
REGION: Central Asia
ROMANS KILLED: Over
100,000
The Huns were a
nomadic tribe who
burst out of the Asian
steppes and wreaked
havoc wherever they
attacked. They were
swift and unbeatable
warriors, driven by a
desire for anything they
could plunder. Their
raids caused a refugee
crisis, which drove other
barbarian tribes (like the
Goths) westward
towards the Empire.
The Scourge of the East
The Huns were a nomadic
Attila is thought to have
meat on a wooden plate.
tribe, who burst out of the
been born around AD
His cup was wooden, while
Asian steppes and
406. In AD 434, when he
guests had silver goblets.
wreaked havoc wherever
was about 30 years old,
His dress was simple, but
they attacked. Driven by
he and his brother Bleda
clean. Observers noted
a desire for plunder, the
succeeded to the
that he was not easily
Huns struck fear into their
Hunnic lordship after the
entertained.
enemies with violent
death of their uncle.
lightning raids on
Despite the lust for
unsuspecting villages.
plundering riches, the
Expert horsemen and
record reflects that
archers, they were
Attila’s tastes were
deadly accurate with a
modest. He was not
bow and arrow at any
interested in the luxuries
speed.
of Roman life. He ate
His aim was nothing less
than total conquest, and
the riches from Rome were
used to build up his warHuns are dark-haired, their
cheeks ritually scarred from
childhood. They fight, eat,
negotiate and even sleep on
horseback.
chest. It was said that
discovered. Attila did not
intrigue within Rome, he
he thought that he was
even bother to kill them,
amassed the greatest
meant to conquer the
instead returning them to
invading army that the
world. When a
Constantinople with
empire had ever seen.
shepherd brought Attila
further demands for
What followed were some
a sword he’d found in a
tribute.
of the bloodiest battles of
field, Attila convinced
himself it was the Sword
of Mars [god of War]
and that it was a sign
Hun attacks in eastern
Europe were so ferocious
that they caused a
the ancient age,
devastating for both sides
and ending in retreat.
refugee crisis, driving
Attila married a beautiful
other barbarian tribes,
Ostrogothic princess. But
like the Goths, into
on his wedding night, he
In 445 Bleda died
alliances with their own
mysteriously died with
mysteriously, probably
enemy – the Roman
blood pouring from his
killed by his brother,
Empire. The danger
nose. Alcohol? Poison? Or
leaving Attila as sole
intensified when the Huns
simple over-exertion?
ruler of the Huns. The
developed siege
Whatever the cause, the
Roman Empire was now
weapons to conquer
greatest Hun leader and
seriously anxious about
walled cities. Soon Attila
the Empire’s nemesis was
him. Emperor
threatened the western
dead, and the great
Theodosius sent
empire as well, and with
shadow he cast over the
assassins to kill him, but
the help of the Vandal
West was lifted.
they were easily
King, Geiseric and
that his supremacy was
somehow ordained.
About the Actor
Emil Hostina
Fortitude (Sky Atlantic), Utopia (Kudos), Harry
Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Part I and II)
(Theatrical)