The Romans had never encountered anyone like the Huns. A prime example is a young male Hun who underwent a brutal ritual at birth. Deep scars were intentionally made on his face to desensitize him to pain. Only after enduring this harsh process did he receive his mother’s milk. This ritual was just one of many tough customs practiced by the Huns. Additionally, they performed cranial deformation by binding a child’s head to give it an elongated shape, which was practiced from an early age.
Ruthlessness and Archery Mastery
The Huns were infamous for their extreme ruthlessness and their unmatched skill with a bow. From an early age, they mastered archery, which they would continue to use throughout their lives. Their reputation for violence and military prowess spread far and wide.
The Chinese Response to the Xiongnu
The influence of the Huns began long before their famous clash with the Romans. More than 500 years earlier, the warring states of China unified, and the construction of the Great Wall began to keep the northern nomadic tribes out. This unity motivated the northern tribes, including the Xiongnu, to unite as well. By 209 BC, the Xiongnu Confederacy was formed under the early Han Dynasty.
The Xiongnu’s Raids on China
Despite the Great Wall, the Xiongnu bypassed it with little effort, raiding the south frequently. In response, the Chinese paid tribute, including silk, luxury items, and Chinese brides, to avoid the destruction of their cities. The Xiongnu also demanded large amounts of wine, which they had developed a taste for.
China’s Response and the Xiongnu’s Decline
Rather than accept the tribute passively, the Han Empire studied the Xiongnu’s internal politics. The Chinese subtly played the factions of the Xiongnu against each other. Over time, this strategy allowed China to stop paying tribute and instead pay the Xiongnu to fight amongst themselves. These costly campaigns were successful, leading to the eventual division of the Xiongnu Confederacy by the 1st century AD.
The Fragmentation of the Xiongnu Confederacy
The Xiongnu split into three groups: the southern Xiongnu, which became Chinese vassals; the Eastern Xiongnu, which defected; and the northern Xiongnu, who suffered devastating defeats by the Han and their allies. These defeats scattered the Xiongnu across vast regions, displacing many Iranian-speaking nomads who formed the Iranian Huns.
The Huns’ Migration Westward
The Iranian Huns became an essential part of the Huns who migrated westward. The Huns who crossed the Volga River around 370 AD had initially allied with the Iranian tribes but soon turned on them. They also incorporated Germanic peoples into their ranks, defeating or absorbing those who did not flee westward.
Early Relations with Rome
Roman relations with the Huns were not always hostile. Though the Huns raided Roman territories, they also served as mercenaries for the Romans. In 406 AD, the Huns helped defend Italy against a Gothic invasion. Over time, they became valuable allies, assisting the Romans in controlling troublesome Germanic tribes.
Attila’s Rise to Power
In 430 AD, Attila and his brother Bleda became joint rulers of the Huns. Their uncle Ruga had maintained an alliance with the Western Roman Empire while attacking the Eastern Romans. The Eastern Romans had even paid Ruga an annual bribe to avoid attacks. Attila and Bleda followed similar policies, but their rivalry came to a tragic end when Bleda died in a hunting accident. Attila then focused his efforts on the East, using Roman engineers to create siege equipment and expand his empire.
The Treaty and Expansion of the Huns
By 447 AD, Attila’s demands had escalated, and the Eastern Romans reluctantly agreed to triple the tribute they paid to the Huns. The treaty also forced Rome’s borders to shift hundreds of miles south, leaving them vulnerable. Attila’s empire reached its height, and he began consolidating his power. But his plans were about to be derailed by an unexpected event.
The Engagement Proposal Incident
The Western Roman Emperor’s sister sent a message to Attila, asking for help and offering her engagement ring. Attila saw this as a formal marriage proposal and demanded a large portion of the Western Roman Empire as a dowry. Enraged by the proposal’s rejection, Attila gathered his forces and began attacking Roman cities.
The Battle of the Catalaunian Plains
In 451 AD, Attila’s forces met the Romans in battle near the Rhine River. Despite a largely inconclusive battle, Attila withdrew to his capital city in the Pannonian Basin to plan his next campaign. The following year, he invaded Italy and raided the countryside as his army advanced toward Rome.
Pope Leo I and the Preservation of Rome
When Attila’s army reached Rome, Pope Leo I met with the Hun leader. Roman sources claim that the Pope miraculously convinced Attila to spare the city. Whether it was Attila’s respect for the Pope or a bribe, Rome was saved from destruction.
Attila’s Sudden Death
Attila’s empire did not survive long after his death. In 453 AD, he died from a severe nosebleed on his wedding night, leaving his empire in turmoil. His sons fought over the throne, leading to the collapse of the Huns. Germanic tribes previously under the Huns’ control united and overthrew them.
Legacy of the Huns
Though the Huns’ empire was short-lived, their impact was long-lasting. The Magyars, who later dominated the Pannonian Basin, were called Huns by medieval chroniclers. They embraced the name and claimed to carry on Attila’s legacy. Today, Attila’s name remains popular in Central and Eastern Europe, and in Turkey, where the Huns are considered a close Turkic relative.
