Opening the text

The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 07 : $b the history of the later Roman Empire

History

The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 07 : $b the history of the later Roman Empire

World history

When Attila first gave audience to the Roman ambassadors on the banks of
the Danube, his tent was encompassed with a formidable guard. The monarch
himself was seated in a wooden chair. His stern countenance, angry
gestures, and impatient tone astonished the firmness of Maximin; but
Vigilius had more reason to tremble, since he distinctly understood the
menace that, if Attila did not respect the law of nations, he would nail
the deceitful interpreter to a cross and leave his body to the vultures.
The Romans, both of the East and of the West, were twice invited to the
banquets where Attila feasted with the princes and nobles of Scythia.
Maximin and his colleagues were stopped on the threshold till they had
made a devout libation to the health and prosperity of the king of the
Huns, and were conducted after this ceremony to their respective seats
in a spacious hall. Before they retired they enjoyed an opportunity
of observing the manners of the nation in their convivial amusements.
In the midst of intemperate riots, Attila alone, without a change of
countenance, maintained his steadfast and inflexible gravity, which was
never relaxed, except on the entrance of Irnac, the youngest of his sons;
he embraced the boy with a smile of paternal tenderness, gently pinched
him by the cheek, and betrayed a partial affection which was justified by
the assurance of his prophets that Irnac would be the future support of
his family and empire.

Two days afterwards the ambassadors received a second invitation; and
they had reason to praise the politeness as well as the hospitality of
Attila. The king of the Huns held a long and familiar conversation with
Maximin; but his civility was interrupted by rude expressions and haughty
reproaches; and he was provoked, by a motive of interest, to support with
unbecoming zeal the private claims of his secretary, Constantius. “The
emperor,” said Attila, “has long promised him a rich wife; Constantius
must not be disappointed; nor should a Roman emperor deserve the name of
liar.” On the third day the ambassadors were dismissed; the freedom of
several captives was granted, for a moderate ransom, to their pressing
entreaties; and, besides the royal presents, they were permitted to
accept from each of the Scythian nobles the honourable and useful gift of
a horse. Maximin returned by the same road to Constantinople; and, though
he was involved in an accidental dispute with Beric, the new ambassador
of Attila, he flattered himself that he had contributed, by the laborious
journey, to confirm the peace and alliance of the two nations.


ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE ATTILA

[Sidenote: [448-449 A.D.]]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

Opening the text

History

The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 07 : $b the history of the later Roman Empire

World history

When Attila first gave audience to the Roman ambassadors on the banks of
the Danube, his tent was encompassed with a formidable guard. The monarch
himself was seated in a wooden chair. His stern countenance, angry
gestures, and impatient tone astonished the firmness of Maximin; but
Vigilius had more reason to tremble, since he distinctly understood the
menace that, if Attila did not respect the law of nations, he would nail
the deceitful interpreter to a cross and leave his body to the vultures.
The Romans, both of the East and of the West, were twice invited to the
banquets where Attila feasted with the princes and nobles of Scythia.
Maximin and his colleagues were stopped on the threshold till they had
made a devout libation to the health and prosperity of the king of the
Huns, and were conducted after this ceremony to their respective seats
in a spacious hall. Before they retired they enjoyed an opportunity
of observing the manners of the nation in their convivial amusements.
In the midst of intemperate riots, Attila alone, without a change of
countenance, maintained his steadfast and inflexible gravity, which was
never relaxed, except on the entrance of Irnac, the youngest of his sons;
he embraced the boy with a smile of paternal tenderness, gently pinched
him by the cheek, and betrayed a partial affection which was justified by
the assurance of his prophets that Irnac would be the future support of
his family and empire.

Two days afterwards the ambassadors received a second invitation; and
they had reason to praise the politeness as well as the hospitality of
Attila. The king of the Huns held a long and familiar conversation with
Maximin; but his civility was interrupted by rude expressions and haughty
reproaches; and he was provoked, by a motive of interest, to support with
unbecoming zeal the private claims of his secretary, Constantius. “The
emperor,” said Attila, “has long promised him a rich wife; Constantius
must not be disappointed; nor should a Roman emperor deserve the name of
liar.” On the third day the ambassadors were dismissed; the freedom of
several captives was granted, for a moderate ransom, to their pressing
entreaties; and, besides the royal presents, they were permitted to
accept from each of the Scythian nobles the honourable and useful gift of
a horse. Maximin returned by the same road to Constantinople; and, though
he was involved in an accidental dispute with Beric, the new ambassador
of Attila, he flattered himself that he had contributed, by the laborious
journey, to confirm the peace and alliance of the two nations.


ATTEMPT TO ASSASSINATE ATTILA

[Sidenote: [448-449 A.D.]]

Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.

The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 07 : $b the history of the later Roman Empire

The historians' history of the world in twenty-five volumes, volume 07 : $b the history of the later Roman Empire

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