Attila The Hun: Barbarian Terror and the Fall of the Roman Empire

A lot is said about Attila and his life, his life as a child in a Roman town, perhaps AQUILEIA.The author also goes into the relationship had with Aetius the Roman General, and heStates that Aetius gifted the lands in present day Hungary to Attila. He also states thatAetius could have completely destroyed Atillas army at Chalons but he did not do so.The following year ATTILLA marches into the Roman Empire and destroys many towns,Including AQUILEIA. What he does not go into enough detail is why he was not opposed byAetius at this time?AQUILEIA was so very rich and strong, and so well defended, but little is said about the siege,Who commanded the Roman City how large was the Roman troop deployment in AQUILEIA allThese facts are missing.No mention is made of what was being done by the Romans to deal with this march by Attila to Rome,Other than that he decided to turn back after his meeting with Pope Leo close to Mantova. Is there no documentPrepared by the religious authority at the time documenting this event and stating what was said?We have it on record that Bishop Ambrose when asked by the population of AQUILEIA why the synagogues were burnt down in AQUILEIA, replied by saying it was "Divine providence".Peter Marshall

Very enjoyable and informative history of the Huns, exploring what (little|) is known of them. The author's assumptions are well-supported by available evidence and seem logical and reasonable. Understandably the perspective of the Romans is paramount, as the Huns left no history of their own. I enjoyed the writer's style, lively and engaging and even a little wry humour at times - clearly someone who loves the subject. Overall an excellent book for those interested in the twilight of the Roman empire and the savage enemies who beset it. I'll be reading this more than once, I'm sure.

I bought this book a little while ago and have recently reread it I enjoyed it so much. As someone who's been bought up with the notion that Attila the Hun was little more than a thuggish neanderthal this work totally changed my view of him. Instead, the author shows the Hunnish empire as more influenced by Rome than determined to be its antithesis.Using Byzantine sources, I was taken into the very heart of Attila's world and totally surprised by it, not least the Huns adroit political and diplomatic cunning. I particularly enjoyed the section on the botched attempt on Attila's life by Byzantine agents under the orders of a particularly well described and thoroughly unpleasant sounding eunuch of the empires court.A refreshing new look at the Barbarian leader, which is far more convincing than the usual tale of brutish primitives in mouse skin clothes eating raw meat. Highly recommended.

Chris Kelly is upfront about the lack of historical resources relating to Attila, but presents what IS known lucidly and indeed occasionally entertainingly. The point of a good history book is to change your perception of a person or event by giving you the facts you don't actually know, and this book succeeds admirably in that task. One is left with the distinct impression that Attila was a lot more complex - and competent - than most people think.

Well written and well researched book on the Huns and Atilla. Sometimes a bit sketchy due to lack of sources. Well worth the read.

This book has met my expectations and I would recommend it to any history lover who may be interested in the fall of the Roman Empire.

excellent book

I was most disappointed, I wanted to understand more about Atilla and his tribe. This book is about Romans and more like a shallow, slow text book. Atilla and his gang are hardly mentioned and then only superficially.I gave up about 3/4 through so perhaps the last 1/4 has more in it.I have no idea why the author has put Atilla in the title.Gave it one star because the system won't allow a zero.