ABSTRACT
Attila ruled a powerful kingdom in central Europe that threatened both the Western and Eastern branches of the fifth-century Roman Empire. Historians are uncertain about the exact date of Attila's birth. He was sure to have witnessed many military engagements while still a boy, for his uncle, a chieftain named Ruga, was responsible for leading the Huns in battles throughout eastern Europe. Attila's nine-year rule was a time of spectacular military expansion by the Huns, whose kingdom dominated central and eastern Europe. In 453 Attila's life came to a sudden and ignoble end. After a drunken wedding feast, he collapsed in his tent with a severe nosebleed. Unconscious, he bled to death in the presence of his new bride. Attila's military campaigns in Europe had a great impact on contemporary and subsequent events. His use of mounted cavalry led to the development of new military tactics, while the destruction of Roman armies further weakened an already crumbling Western empire.
