Attila the Hun: Arch-Enemy of Rome

by Ian Hughes

Attila the Hun is a household name. Rising to the Hunnic kingship around 434, he dominated European history for the next two decades. Attila bullied and manipulated both halves of the Roman empire, forcing successive emperors to make tribute payments or face invasion. Ian Hughes recounts Attila's rise to power, attempting to untangle his character and motivations so far as the imperfect sources allow. A major theme is how the two halves of the empire finally united against Attila, prompting his fateful decision to invade Gaul and his subsequent defeat at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plain in 451.

Integral to the narrative is analysis of the history of the rise of the Hunnic Empire; the reasons for the Huns' military success; relations between the Huns and the two halves of the Roman Empire; Attila's rise to sole power; and Attila's doomed attempt to bring both halves of the Roman Empire under his dominion.

Genres: History, Nonfiction

240 pages, Hardcover

Published February 14, 2019

Reviews

[Spen Cer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would agree that if you want to know the basics of what is known about Attila and want it to be really well researched then this is the book for you. It is more a discussion on the sources and what the bare minimum of what is really know about Attila. I appreciate the time the author took to try and get to the reality.

[Scott Martin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a hard book to rate. In one respect, it isn't the definitive account of the man who grew into a legend of one of the greatest threats to Western civilization. However, there is a lack of great, definitive source material on the man, and it is a challenge to find quality source material that can cut through the myths and legends and bring the true man to life. Still, Hughes does what he can, culling through a great deal of source material to try to discuss the background of Attila, what he was like as a man and leader, and offering better insight into his military conquests. There is much to learn, but after reading this book, you realize that there is a lot more questions about this man then we can truly ever know. Worth at least one read.

[Erik Gracer · Rating 4 out of 5]

For Rome nerds only

Reads more like a textbook. Some very interesting material. Not a lot of drama but more factual based narrative. Worth I read to those interested in this period of time.

[Gavin O'Brien · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable little work to add to your collection of 5th Century biographies by Ian Hughes.

Ian Hughs is an accomplished author on various military and political personalities of the 5th Century Roman Empire and his short book on Attila the Hun adds nicely into this extensive library.

While Hughs states his intention is not neccessarily to discover anything new, he does make it his aim to attempt to analyse and discuss the life, policies and decisions of Attila the Hun from the perspective of the Hunnic King as opposed to that of the Romans.

Hughes provides a brief historical overview of the political situation in the 5th Century before giving a more interesting and detailed overview of Hunnic history, including possible origins based on the latest research. The biography of Attila, and the Huns more generally, then follows on in the usual formulaic pattern of the author; chronological year by year order with a focus on important events. Naturally the focus is on the military aspects of the time but some discussion is given where possible to the economical and cultural & societal aspects to be found in Attila's Empire.

Unlike many previous authors, going right back to Gibbon, Hughs does not view Attila as a triumpahnt, all powerful warrior king and the greatest threat to the Roman Empire. Rather, by looking at Attila's motives from the Huns perspective, he demonstrates how narrow and short sighted they actually were. He argues instead that Attila at best was a middling statesman at best who scrored a few victories against the Eastern Romans but was far from the great warrior leader that comes down to us from history, upon who's sword the Roman Empire was nearly destroyed.

If you have already read a biography on Attila the Hun this book might not add much indepth knowledege to what you already know about him and the period but there are a few bits here and there, and it still provides a good alternative perspective from which to review the career of the 'Scourge of God'. I certainly enjoyed reading it and would totally recommend to anyone interested in Attila or to a fan of Hughes' works in general.

[Al Lock · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a demonstration of how historians SHOULD write. There is lots of speculation, identified as such. There is reference to sources and points out the potential problems with those sources as well as the various ways those sources may be interpreted. The book also points out the lack of sources from within the Hunnite Empire and the lack of other barbarian sources, leaving a very limited set of sources that have a particular viewpoint and very possibly biases regarding how the Huns and Attila have been portrayed.

I learned a lot about Attila and the Hunnite Empire. I learned more about even-handed and factual handling of sources. Everyone interested in history should read this book, especially those interested in writing history.

[Jim Swike · Rating 5 out of 5]

Little is known about Attila's life, especially his personal life. This book brings him to life. Interested in the tops, enjoy!