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Attila the Hun. By Matthew Karges. Huns beginning. Came from Mongolian area Attacked China which triggered the building of the Great Wall of China Chinese defeat Hunnic tribes causing them to split Western group moves towards Volga River and shows up in Europe United by Rua. Attila the Hun.
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Attila the Hun By Matthew Karges
Huns beginning • Came from Mongolian area • Attacked China which triggered the building of the Great Wall of China • Chinese defeat Hunnic tribes causing them to split • Western group moves towards Volga River and shows up in Europe • United by Rua
Attila the Hun • Born in 406 • Father was Mundzuk and mother was unknown • Rua, leader of the Huns, was his uncle • Had a brother named Bleda
Becoming a leader • In 434, Attila’s uncle Rua dies • Attila and older brother Bleda take over • Because of continued pressure to Eastern Roman Empire, a treaty was signed making the Eastern Empire pay 700 pounds of gold per year • Huns were a mercenary army
Taking Leadership • In 445, Attila murdered Bleda • Became sole leader of Huns • Ruled with absolute authority • Army attacked swiftly and suddenly • Dispersed then came together • Huns fight without regard to their own safety
Attila (Cont’d) • Attila was called the Scourge of God • He was rumored to have eaten two of his children • Eastern Romans refusal to pay tribute angered Attila • Decided to take out anger on Western Roman Empire
Scandal • Vandals urged Attila to attack the Visigoths • Defeat of Visigoths would lessen pressure on the Vandals
Scandal (cont’d) • Honoria, Roman Princess, was imprisoned because of an affair • She sent Attila a ring and a message asking Attila to be her champion • Attila asks for half of Western Roman Empire as wedding dowry • Plans to attack Western Empire to claim his lands with a huge army
Result • Only though an alliance of Romans and Visigoths are the Huns defeated • Huns escape • The next year, the Huns attack Italy with 100,000 soldiers • Take much of Italy but do not attack Rome because of a deal with the Pope
Death • Attila dies of a hemorrhage • The hemorrhage was because of drinking from his wedding night • Sons divide empire • Empire dissolves