Attila, King of The Huns

1915

Warrior-Barbarian Who Ravaged a Great Part of Europe in the Fifth Century

"Like the Huns under Attila" is a phrase which is on everybody's lips at the present time. Yet comparatively few people know by whom it was first used, or understand the reference.

It was with these words that the Kaiser bid farewell to his troops when they were dispatched to China to help put down the Boxer rising: "Gain a reputation like the Huns under Attila," he told them, says London Tit-Bits. The significance of the advice will be appreciated when it is realized that Attila was a barbaric chief whose ravages in Europe about the beginning of the fifth century gained for him the name of "the Scourge of God."

The leader of countless hordes of Huns, who were a Mongol race which crossed the Volga and struck terror into Europe, he was regarded by his men with superstitious reverence and by Christendom with superstitious dread. Among the acts which were committed by his direction were the following:

Bleda, his brother and co-chieftain, put to death.

All the countries between the Black sea and the Mediterranean devastated and pillaged.

Thrace, Macedon and Greece overrun, and 70 flourishing cities devastated.

Several cities in Italy razed to the ground and their inhabitants put to the sword.

Conquered peoples either killed or forced to follow in his train as prisoners.

Yet for all this ruthlessness Attila was a magnificent soldier and a striking personality. He was induced to spare Rome from destruction by the personal mediation of Pope Leo I, who is said to have subdued his ferocity into awe by the apostolic majesty of his mien. This deliverance was regarded as a miracle by the affrighted Romans, and old chroniclers relate that the Apostles Peter and Paul appeared in Attila's camp and changed his purpose.

Attila died on the night of his marriage with the beautiful Hilda — possibly by her hand. His death spread consternation through the host of Huns, who cut themselves with knives, shaved their heads and then prepared to celebrate the funeral rites of their king.

His body was placed in three coffins — the first of gold, the second of silver and the third of iron. The caparisons of his horses with his arms and ornaments were buried with him, while the captives employed to make his grave were all put to death so that none might betray the last resting place of Attila, king of the Huns.

Note: In World War I reporting, the Germans were frequently called the "Huns."