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Quizzes > History > Ancient & Medieval History

Master Attila the Hun Facts: Take the Ultimate Quiz Now!

Think You Can Ace This Attila the Hun Quiz? Prove Your Knowledge!

Difficulty: Moderate
2-5mins
Learning OutcomesCheat Sheet
Paper art illustration of Attila the Hun helmet and sword on sky blue background for a quiz on battles and leadership.

This Attila the Hun facts quiz helps you review key battles, rivals, and tactics from his campaigns. Play at your pace to spot gaps and learn a new detail or two; when you want a wider view, browse more war history.

In which years did Attila rule the Hunnic Empire?
450 - 476 CE
434 - 453 CE
400 - 430 CE
410 - 450 CE
Attila became sole ruler of the Huns in 434 CE after the death of his uncle Rugila and ruled until his own death in 453 CE. His reign is marked by numerous campaigns against both Eastern and Western Roman Empires. These dates are widely accepted in historical sources.
Attila was the ruler of which nomadic group?
The Franks
The Huns
The Vandals
The Goths
Attila is most famously known as the leader of the Huns, a confederation of Central Asian tribes. Under his leadership, the Huns became a powerful force threatening both Eastern and Western Roman territories. Other groups like Goths and Vandals were distinct Germanic peoples.
What was the name of Attila's brother with whom he initially co-ruled?
Rugila
Dengizich
Ellac
Bleda
After the death of their uncle Rugila in 434, Attila and his brother Bleda became joint leaders of the Huns. This period of co-rule lasted until around 445, when Attila is believed to have orchestrated Bleda's death. Bleda's elimination allowed Attila to rule alone.
Which empire regularly paid tribute to Attila to avoid raids?
Eastern Roman Empire
Sassanid Empire
Carolingian Empire
Western Roman Empire
The Eastern Roman Empire, also known as the Byzantine Empire, paid large yearly tributes to Attila to prevent Hun incursions. These payments were formalized in treaties, notably those of 433 and 447 CE. The Western Empire also paid sometimes, but the Eastern tribute is best documented.
What nickname did Attila earn among contemporaries for his fearsome raids?
The Scourge of God
Barbarian Chief
King of Kings
The Lion of the North
Contemporary observers, particularly in Rome, referred to Attila as "the Scourge of God" due to the terror his invasions inspired. This epithet emphasized the divine punishment angle used by Christian writers to describe his destructiveness. It stuck in later medieval and modern histories.
Where did Attila establish his primary base of operations?
In Rome
In Constantinople
In Gaul
On the Pannonian Plain
Attila's main power center was in the Pannonian Plain, a region corresponding largely to modern-day Hungary. From there, he launched campaigns into Gaul, Italy, and the Balkans. The area provided good grazing for his mounted warriors.
Who was Attila's last wife, whom he married shortly before his death?
Priscus
Ildico
Eudoxia
Aelia
Sources such as Priscus mention that Attila married a young Gothic woman named Ildico shortly before his death in 453 CE. Her origins are not completely clear, but she is often associated with the last tragic events of his life.
In which year did Attila the Hun die?
451 CE
453 CE
448 CE
460 CE
Attila died unexpectedly in 453 CE, on the night of his wedding to Ildico. Ancient sources attribute his death to a severe nosebleed, though other theories exist. His death led to the rapid collapse of Hunnic unity.
Which Visigothic king allied with Roman forces at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains?
Theodemir
Euric
Theodoric I
Alaric I
At the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains in 451 CE, Theodoric I of the Visigoths joined Roman general Flavius Aetius to halt Attila's advance. This alliance was crucial in checking Hun power in Gaul. Later Visigothic rulers like Euric did not participate.
Which Eastern Roman Emperor negotiated peace and paid tribute to Attila?
Justinian I
Marcian
Arcadius
Theodosius II
Emperor Theodosius II ruled the Eastern Roman Empire during much of Attila's campaigns. In 433 CE, he agreed to a treaty that included annual tribute payments to the Huns to secure peace. His successors later refused or renegotiated these terms.
What term best describes Attila's initial relationship with his brother Bleda?
Enemies in constant war
Tributaries of the Persians
Co-rulers of the Huns
Servants of the Roman Empire
After the death of their uncle, Attila and Bleda ruled jointly as co-kings of the Huns from 434 until around 445 CE. This shared sovereignty ended when Attila had Bleda killed, consolidating power. Medieval sources focus on this fratricide as a turning point.
In what year did Attila launch his famous invasion of Italy?
452 CE
453 CE
451 CE
450 CE
Attila invaded Northern Italy in 452 CE, marching through Aquileia, Padua, and threatening Milan and Venice. His campaign was halted by disease, lack of supplies, and diplomatic pressure. He withdrew after securing tribute.
Which major battle in 451 halted Attila's advance into Gaul?
Battle of the Catalaunian Plains
Battle of Tours
Battle of Zama
Battle of Soissons
The Battle of the Catalaunian Plains (also known as the Battle of Chalons) in 451 CE saw a coalition of Romans and Visigoths stop Attila's advance. It marked the high point of Hunnic power in the West. Neither side achieved a crushing victory, but Attila withdrew afterward.
What strategy was central to Attila's military successes?
Naval blockades
Heavy infantry charges
Feigned retreats with mounted archers
Phalanx formation
Attila's armies excelled in mobility, using light cavalry to perform feigned retreats and ambushes. Mounted archers would harass and weaken the enemy before the main force struck. This tactic was common among steppe nomads.
Who was Attila's eldest son and initial heir after his death?
Dengizich
Ellac
Ernak
Mundzuk
Ellac, Attila's firstborn, was recognized by Hunnic nobles as his successor in 453 CE. However, without Attila's unifying leadership, Ellac struggled to maintain control against subject tribes. He died at the Battle of Nedao in 454.
Which Western Roman princess's correspondence did Attila use to justify his claim to half the Western Empire?
Galla Placidia
Irene
Honoria
Pulcheria
Honoria, sister of Western Emperor Valentinian III, is said to have sent her ring to Attila seeking help against an unwanted marriage. Attila interpreted this as an engagement and demanded half the Western Empire as dowry. The gesture provided a pretext for further demands.
How did Attila eliminate his brother Bleda to become sole ruler?
Bleda died of illness
Attila exiled him
Bleda was killed in battle
He orchestrated Bleda's assassination
Ancient historians such as Jordanes report that Attila arranged for Bleda's murder around 445 CE to seize sole power. The exact circumstances remain unclear, but fratricide was a common method of succession among steppe tribes. This act marked Attila's uncontested rule.
What was the name of the region in modern-day Hungary where Attila maintained a major base?
Moesia
Pannonia
Illyria
Dacia
Pannonia, a province of the late Roman Empire, became the core territory of Attila's domain. He used its plains for cavalry maneuvers and as a center for tribute collection. Roman sources frequently mention his Pannonian campaigns.
Which coalition of tribes fought alongside the Romans against Attila in 451?
Romans, Visigoths, Franks and Burgundians
Romans, Persians, Goths and Franks
Romans, Visigoths, Vandals and Saxons
Romans, Vandals, Goths and Saxons
At the Catalaunian Plains, Roman legions under Aetius were joined by Visigoths under Theodoric I, along with Frankish and Burgundian contingents. This multi-tribal alliance temporarily halted Attila's advance into Gaul. Later sources cite their cooperation as pivotal.
According to historical accounts, how did Attila die?
He was assassinated by Romans
He drowned crossing a river
He was killed in battle
He suffered a fatal nosebleed on his wedding night
Priscus and other ancient writers describe Attila's death in 453 CE as caused by a severe nosebleed during his wedding banquet. Legends suggest he choked on his own blood in his sleep. While other theories exist, this account is most cited.
Which city did Attila sack in 452, leading to its near-total destruction?
Ravenna
Aquileia
Milan
Rome
In 452 CE Attila besieged and razed Aquileia, a wealthy city in northeastern Italy, forcing its population to flee. Its fall opened the path into the Italian peninsula but also hardened Roman resistance. Aquileia was never fully rebuilt.
In which modern country did the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains take place?
Spain
France
Italy
Germany
The Catalaunian Plains battle occurred in 451 CE near modern-day Châlons-en-Champagne in northeastern France. The site lies east of Paris in the Champagne region. Archaeological and geographical studies confirm this location.
To which natural boundary did Attila's empire extend in the east?
Danube River
Alps
Carpathians
Ural Mountains
Medieval sources often describe Attila's dominion stretching from the Rhine in the west to the Ural Mountains in the east, encompassing large parts of the Eurasian steppe. The Urals marked a traditional frontier between Europe and Asia. This claim underscores the vastness of his suzerainty.
Which sixth-century historian penned an influential account of Attila in the work "Getica"?
Procopius
Ammianus Marcellinus
Cassiodorus
Jordanes
Jordanes, a Gothic scholar in the mid-6th century, wrote the "Getica," which includes much of our information on Attila and the Huns. Although he compiled earlier sources, his work remains a key narrative. Procopius and Ammianus wrote on other topics.
What economic practice formed the backbone of Hunnic power under Attila?
Extracting tribute from Roman territories
Establishing manufacturing
Engaging in maritime trade
Developing agriculture
The Hunnic economy under Attila was largely based on demanding and collecting tribute from both Eastern and Western Roman Empires. These payments funded his armies and lavish court. Nomadic pastoralism supplemented but did not rival tribute as revenue.
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Study Outcomes

  1. Recall Key Attila the Hun Facts -

    Understand the essential biographical details of Attila the Hun, including his origins, rise to power, and lasting legacy.

  2. Identify Major Battles and Campaigns -

    Recognize the pivotal military engagements led by Attila across Europe and their outcomes in late antiquity.

  3. Analyze Leadership Tactics -

    Examine the strategies and tactics Attila employed to expand the Hunnic Empire and intimidate his adversaries.

  4. Evaluate Cultural and Historical Influence -

    Assess how Attila's reign shaped contemporary societies and how his legend endures in folklore and history.

  5. Differentiate Allied and Opposing Factions -

    Distinguish the tribes and empires that allied with or opposed Attila, such as the Romans, Goths, and Franks.

  6. Apply Attila the Hun Trivia to Broader Context -

    Use your quiz insights to connect with related ancient warrior quizzes and deepen your grasp of early medieval warfare.

Cheat Sheet

  1. Origins and Early Life -

    Attila the Hun facts highlight that he was born around 406 CE into a prominent Hunnic clan on the Eurasian Steppe, though written records are scarce. According to the Cambridge History of Early Inner Asia, he initially co-ruled with his brother Bleda before securing sole leadership in 445 CE. A useful mnemonic is "HB2" (Hun Born, Brother Betrayed) to recall this transition.

  2. Consolidation of Power -

    After Bleda's mysterious death, Attila the Hun facts show he consolidated authority by merging various nomadic tribes into a centralized confederation, as detailed by the Journal of Late Antiquity. He established a structured court, issued decrees in runic script, and appointed trusted lieutenants to key roles. Remember "Chiefs Obey when Attila Says" (COAS) to recall his top-down governance style.

  3. Innovative Military Tactics -

    Attila's armies were legendary for mounted archers using composite bows and lightning-fast cavalry raids, a fact supported by research from the British Museum archives. He perfected the feigned retreat tactic - drawn-out at battles like the Catalaunian Fields - to lure enemies into ambush, summarized by the mnemonic FERR (Feigned retreat, Encirclement, Rapid cavalry, Reconnaissance). This combination of mobility and surprise revolutionized ancient warfare and is central to any Attila the Hun quiz.

  4. Diplomatic Maneuvers and Treaties -

    Despite his fearsome reputation, Attila negotiated tribute from both Eastern and Western Roman Empires, notably the Treaty of Margus in 435 CE, as recorded on inscriptions in Balkan archives. He demanded payments in gold and ransom payments for hostages, showcasing his skill at statecraft as outlined in sources from Oxford's ancient history repository. Recall the phrase "Gold Before Blood" to remember his preference for negotiation over total annihilation.

  5. Legacy, Death, and Historical Impact -

    Attila the Hun's death in 453 CE remains shrouded in mystery - ancient accounts range from a hemorrhage on his wedding night to foul play - yet it led to the rapid disintegration of the Hunnic Empire, per the Journal of Late Antiquity. He left behind a cultural legacy that shaped medieval European folklore and became a symbol in works like Jordanes' Getica. A handy mnemonic is "MUST DIE" (Mysterious, Unresolved, Sudden, Termination, Disbanded - Influence Enduring) to recall key points of his end and afterlife in history.

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