Attila the Hun
~406–453 · Hunnic Empire · Fall of the Western Roman Empire
Known for: 'The Scourge of God' who terrorized both halves of the Roman Empire and invaded Gaul and Italy
Attila was the ruler of the Hunnic Empire who terrorized Europe from 434 to 453, extracting massive tribute from the Eastern Roman Empire and invading both Gaul and Italy. He was not a mindless barbarian but a shrewd diplomat who played the Eastern and Western Roman Empires against each other for maximum profit.
He lived simply among his warriors while amassing enormous wealth through tribute and plunder. He was defeated at the Catalaunian Plains by Aetius's coalition but invaded Italy the following year. He died on his wedding night—reportedly from a nosebleed after heavy drinking, though foul play has been suspected for centuries.
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