Attila the Hun Biography and Timeline

Birth of Attila the Hun

Birth of Attila the Hun, in Hungary

Succession

Succeeds as King of the Hun Empire, shares the throne with Bleda

Peace Treaty

Attila forces Theodosius II to agree a peace Treaty, annual fee 660 of pounds

Role range: 0433-0453

Return of Hunnic Fugitives

The Margus settlement requires the Eastern Roman Empire to return Hunnic fugitives who had taken refuge inside imperial territory, reinforcing Attila's authority over defectors.

Role range: 0433-0453

Treaty of Margus

Attila and Bleda conclude the Treaty of Margus with Eastern Roman representatives, establishing a new peace settlement along the Danube frontier.

Role range: 0433-0453

Attack on Castra Constantia

Attila and Bleda attack the Roman fortress and trading center of Castra Constantia after relations deteriorate over alleged violations of the earlier peace settlement.

Role range: 0433-0453

Capture of Belgrade

Captures Belgrade

Role range: 0433-0453

Capture of Ratiaria

Hunnic forces overrun the important Danubian city of Ratiaria during the renewed offensive, weakening the Eastern Roman defensive system in Moesia.

Role range: 0433-0453

Capture of Sirmium

Captures Sirmium in the Balkans, ending the Balkan campaign

Role range: 0433-0453

Danube Market Clash

Hunnic forces attack Romans gathered at a frontier market on the Danube, turning a commercial meeting into a renewed military confrontation between the Huns and the Eastern Empire.

Role range: 0433-0453

Invasion of Balkans

Attila launches an invasion of the Balkans

Role range: 0433-0453

Invasion of Balkans

Captures Sirmium in the Balkans, ending the Balkan campaign

Role range: 0433-0453

Invasion of Roman Empire

Attila launches an invasion of the Eastern Roman Empire

Role range: 0433-0453

Margus Grave-Robbing Accusation

Attila and Bleda accuse the bishop of Margus of entering Hunnic territory and plundering royal graves, and they use the dispute to press new demands on the Eastern Romans.

Role range: 0433-0453

Siege of Margus

Lays siege to Margus in the Balkans

Role range: 0433-0453

Siege of Viminacium

Lays siege to Viminacium in the Balkans

Role range: 0433-0453

Capture of Arcadiopolis

Attila & Bleda capture Arcadiopolis

Role range: 0433-0453

Capture of Plovdiv

Attila & Bleda capture Povdiv

Role range: 0433-0453

Capture of Sofia

Attila & Bleda capture Sofia

Role range: 0433-0453

Invasion of Balkans

Attila & Bleda launch a 2nd invasion of the Balkans

Role range: 0433-0453

Massacre

After the Huns capture the city of Naissus they massacre the inhabitants of the city

Role range: 0433-0453

Peace Treaty

Theodosius triples his annual tribute of gold to 2,100 pounds. Theodosius admits defeat & signs a harsh peace

Role range: 0433-0453

Siege of Constantinople

Attila & Bleda destroy a Roman force outside Constantinople

Role range: 0433-0453

Siege of Naissus

After the Huns capture the city of Naissus they massacre the inhabitants of the city

Role range: 0433-0453

Siege of Nis

Attila & Bleda lay siege to Nis in the Balkans

Role range: 0433-0453

Death of Bleda

Bleda dies after years of joint rule with Attila, ending the divided kingship that had governed the Hunnic Empire since their accession.

Role range: 0433-0453

Sole Ruler of the Huns

Following Bleda's death, Attila becomes the sole ruler of the Hunnic Empire and concentrates political and military authority in his own hands.

Role range: 0433-0453

Advance to Thermopylae

Attila's forces penetrate as far south as Thermopylae, demonstrating the depth of the Hunnic advance into the Eastern Roman Balkans and Greece.

Role range: 0433-0453

Battle of the Utus

Attila defeats the Eastern Roman field army commanded by Arnegisclus near the River Utus, removing the principal mobile force blocking the Hunnic advance.

Role range: 0433-0453

Capture of Marcianopolis

After the Roman defeat near the Utus, Hunnic forces take Marcianopolis and continue their campaign across the Balkan interior.

Role range: 0433-0453

Crossing of the Danube

Attila's army crosses the Danube near Viminacium and begins a rapid advance through Eastern Roman territory during the renewed Balkan war.

Role range: 0433-0453

Devastation of Thrace

Hunnic armies ravage large areas of Thrace and neighboring provinces after their battlefield successes, placing severe pressure on the government of Theodosius II.

Role range: 0433-0453

Renewed Balkan Campaign

Attila opens a major new campaign against the Eastern Roman Empire and sends Hunnic forces deep into the Balkan provinces after the earlier peace breaks down.

Role range: 0433-0453

Chrysaphius Assassination Plot

The powerful court official Chrysaphius becomes involved in a plan to bribe Attila's associate Edeco to arrange the Hunnic king's assassination.

Role range: 0433-0453

Danube Frontier Cession

The Eastern Romans agree to leave a broad belt of territory south of the Danube under Hunnic control, creating a wider buffer between Attila's realm and imperial defenses.

Role range: 0433-0453

Embassy of Edeco and Orestes

Attila sends Edeco and Orestes to Constantinople with demands concerning fugitives, disputed frontier lands, and the implementation of the latest peace terms.

Role range: 0433-0453

Naissus Frontier Market

Attila requires the principal frontier market to be moved away from the Danube to the ruined city of Naissus, tightening Hunnic control over cross-border contact.

Role range: 0433-0453

Peace of Anatolius

Eastern Roman negotiators led by Anatolius reach a new settlement with Attila after the destructive 447 campaign, bringing the immediate fighting to an end.

Role range: 0433-0453

Ultimatum over Fugitives

Attila warns the Eastern Roman government that renewed war may follow unless Hunnic fugitives are surrendered and Roman activity on contested frontier land is halted.

Role range: 0433-0453

Demand for Chrysaphius

After uncovering the plot against his life, Attila sends representatives to Constantinople and demands that Chrysaphius be surrendered or otherwise punished for his role in the conspiracy.

Role range: 0433-0453