Attila Sword

Attila Sword

Attila Sword

Attila the Hun (circa 406-53), king of the Huns (circa 433-53) One of the most feared and notorious barbarians of all time, Attila is believed to be ofdistant Mongol stock, he ravaged much of the European continent during the 5th century AD. Apparently Attila was as great a menace to the Teutonic tribesmen as he was to the Romans.

Attila "The Scourge of God", born about 406 A. D., was son of the king of the Huns, and in 434 succeeded his uncle as king of countless hordes scattered over the north of Asia and Europe. Pie was regarded by the Huns with reverence, but by the Christians with dread. He is said to have received the title Scourge or God from a hermit in Gaul. His power at one time reached from the Rhine to the frontiers of China. In 447 he laid waste the entire region between the Black sea and the Mediterranean. All the people, it is reported, were either destroyed or forced to follow him against his enemies. The Emperor Theo-dosius was completely defeated by him, and seventy large cities were destroyed.

A few years later, in 451, Attila marched westward against Gaul. There he was met in the valley of the Marne by Theodoric, king of the Visigoths, and Aetius, leader of the Romans. After a terrible battle Attila was completely defeated and barely escaped with his life. The old historians speak of the battle as one of the most bloody the world ever saw, and it was of the greatest importance, because it prevented the inferior races of the east from destroying the beginnings of civilization in the west. Not less than 252,000 men were said to have been left dead upon the field. Attila resolved to fire his wagons and cast himself into the flames rather than be taken captive, but Aetius allowed him to retreat without harm.

The next year he made a raid into Italy, destroying many cities and driving the people into the mountains. Rome itself was saved only by the bravery of Pope Leo I., who visited Attila and is said to have so awed him by the majesty of his appearance that he gave up his intention of burning the city. He died in 453, while preparing for another attack upon Italy, and it was thought that he was murdered by his wife on the day of their marriage. His body was put into three coffins, the first of gold, the second of silver, and the third of iron, and the men who made his grave were put to death, that no one might know where he was buried. He is described as of very short stature, with large head and flowing hair, small piercing eyes and broad shoulders.

There is a story that he claimed to own the actual sword of Mars, and that other Barbarian chiefs could not look the King of the Huns directly in the eyes without flinching. Attila's haughty step and demeanour expressed the consciousness of his superiority above the rest of mankind; and he had a custom of fiercely rolling his eyes, as if he wished to enjoy the terror which he inspired. In his own day he and his Huns were known as the "Scourge of God," and the devastation they caused in Gaul before the great Battle of Châlons in 451 AD became a part of medieval folklore and tradition.

This beautiful Attila Fantasy Sword measures 53 inches. The blade is of quality 420A stainless steel. Antique silver cast metal handle, guard and pommel with gold plated detailing.

Attila Sword