Page "Huns" Paragraph 32

With his brother gone and as the only ruler of the united Huns, Attila possessed undisputed control over his subjects.

In 447, Attila turned the Huns back toward the Eastern Roman Empire once more.

His invasion of the Balkans and Thrace was devastating.

The Eastern Roman Empire was already beset by internal problems, such as famine and plague, as well as riots and a series of earthquakes in Constantinople itself.

Only a last-minute rebuilding of its walls had preserved Constantinople unscathed.

Victory over a Roman army had already left the Huns virtually unchallenged in Eastern Roman lands and only disease forced a retreat, after they had conducted raids as far south as Thermopylae.

Our only lengthy first-hand report of conditions among the Huns is by Priscus, who formed part of an embassy to Attila.