The Xiongnu & Modu Chanyu
He is credited with transforming the Xiongnu from a loose collection of tribes into a centralized empire in 209 BCE.
Who is Modu Chanyu?
This Chanyu led the Northern Xiongnu westward into Central Asia to escape Han Chinese pressure.
Who is Zhi Zhi Chanyu?
The Huns’ arrival in Europe around 370 CE triggered this massive movement of Germanic tribes into Roman territory.
What is the Great Migration?
This animal was the center of Hunnic life, used for transport, warfare, food, and even as a source of fermented milk.
What is the Horse?
This title was given to Attila by Christian writers who believed he was sent by God to punish the Romans for their sins.
What is the "Scourge of God" (Flagellum Dei)?
This massive defensive project was significantly expanded by the Qin and Han dynasties specifically to keep the Xiongnu out.
What is the Great Wall of China?
The Huns eventually dominated this vast, treeless grassland region that stretches from the Altai Mountains to the Danube.
What is the Eurasian Steppe?
The Huns first destroyed the empire of this Gothic group, led by the elderly King Ermanaric, in modern-day Ukraine.
Who are the Ostrogoths?
Huns were world-famous for their mastery of this weapon, which they could fire accurately even while retreating.
What is the Composite Bow?
Attila shared power with this brother until 445 CE, when the brother died under mysterious (likely murderous) circumstances.
Who is Bleda?
The "Heqin" policy used by the Han involved sending these "items" to the Xiongnu to maintain a fragile peace.
What are Silk/Tribute and Princesses (for marriage)?
In 36 BCE, a famous battle occurred at this fortress in modern-day Kazakhstan, where the Han finally caught and executed Zhi Zhi.
What is the Battle of Zhizhi?
Fleeing the Huns, this Germanic group famously crossed the Danube in 376 CE and later sacked Rome in 410.
Who are the Visigoths?
The Huns practiced this aesthetic custom, which involved tightly wrapping a child's head to produce a distinct, elongated shape.
What is Cranial Deformation (or Binding)?
In 451 CE, Attila was finally checked at this major battle in Gaul by a coalition of Romans and Visigoths.
What is the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains (or Battle of Châlons)?
Modu Chanyu famously used this specialized type of "whistling" weapon to signal his troops where to shoot.
What are Whistling Arrows?
While at Zhi Zhi's fortress, Chinese records describe soldiers using a "fish-scale" formation, leading some historians to speculate they encountered these European troops.
Who are Roman Legionaries?
This river served as the primary natural border the Huns had to cross to enter the heart of the Western Roman Empire.
What is the Rhine?
Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus claimed Huns didn't use houses, but lived almost entirely in these vehicles or on horseback.
What are Wagons (or Yerts/Tents)?
This Roman General, who had once lived among the Huns as a hostage, was the primary architect of the defense against Attila.
Who is Flavius Aetius?
After a crushing defeat by the Han, the Xiongnu split into these two geographic factions, with the northern group beginning the long trek west.
Who are the Northern and Southern Xiongnu?
The Huns in Central Asia are often linked to this group, known in Persian and Indian sources as the "White Huns."
Who are the Hephthalites?
The Huns likely displaced this Iranian-speaking nomadic group, known for their heavy cavalry, before reaching the Goths.
Who are the Alans?
Upon a warrior's death, Huns practiced this ritual, where men would slash their own faces so the hero was mourned with this, rather than tears.
What is Blood?
Legend says Attila turned back from attacking this city after a face-to-face meeting with Pope Leo I.
What is Rome?