The Sword of Attila

By Crusader1307

Although many Scholars feel that Attila may not have been a "single" person (rather a composite of many leaders), others feel he was. Much of his life is legend (much the same as King Arthur). What legend tells us is that he may have been born in 434 A.D. As leader of The Hunnic Empire, his Kingdom stretched from The Ural and Danube Rivers to The Baltic Sea. Feared by both The Western and Eastern Roman Empires, his was a race of Plains Horsemen. The Huns were fierce light cavalrymen who conquered all they encountered. The Huns were quite adept in the use of Horse Archery (preferring the Bow above all other weapons). Often carrying a Buckler type shield, they did carry a variety of bladed weapons as well. Although Attila's ultimate goal was the capture of Constantinople (which he never did), he still took most of the region surrounding it. He even planned to sack Rome. However, in 453 A.D. - Attila was assassinated by one of his wives (whose tale of revenge against Attila for the destruction of her village and family is a legendary tale in it's own right).

Many Historians have attempted to link a bloodline between Attila and Emperor Charlemagne (this has never been successfully done). His blade is a matter of conjecture as well. Attila was known to favor Roman things (and especially their weaponry). He may have used a Gladius-style blade. A blade purported to have been his is 35-inches long and embellished with jewels (somewhat un-Hun). The sword had been referred to as "The Sword of Mars".  Some again try to link Charlemagne's sword "Joyeuse" and even "Excalibur" with Attila. The disputed blade is on display at The Museum of Art History, Vienna, Austria.