hist 6.1

Read and compare the two accounts carefully. They are roughly contemporary, dating to 448 CE. Roman historian Ammianus Marcellinus describes the Huns in the first passage. It is followed by an eye witness account by Priscus, an envoy of Eastern Roman Empire.who had dinner with Attila the Hun. Feel free to consult with additional resources if it helps you to better understand the background and circumstances of these authors.Compare the two descriptions of the Huns in the document.

How do you explain the differences? How does the authors’ perspective enter into this?

Which of the documents seems to be most accurate in its depiction? Give your reasons for choosing it.

Compare one of these authors and his document to the current political situation in America in a typical presidential election campaign. How would people react if the information were presented in an op-ed piece or a political advertisement? How difficult is it to sift through the author’s bias and tease out factual information?

Use these questions for the video selections and podcasts:

· Make sure to identify your choice.

· Content- Summarize the main themes presented or points of interest that impressed you.

· Connecting to prior knowledge – how does it fit with the other things you know about this subject?

· Does this presentation or document raise any questions that you would like to explore further?

· How does the information you learned contribute to your understanding of  modern day events?

Journal entries should be a several paragraphs in length and written in complete sentences. I am interested in hearing your ideas. Make sure to run the spell check so that you can avoid any unnecessary mistakes.

Dining With Attila the Hun, 448

Ammianus Marcellinus described the Huns as the most barbarous of Rome’s enemies:

In the Presence of the “Scourge of God”

Priscus was an envoy of the Eastern Roman Empire sent to meet with Attila at his encampment. His visit coincided with that of representatives of the Western Roman Empire. We join Priscus’ account as he and the other envoys are invited to dine with the leader of the Huns:

“In accordance with the national custom the cupbearers gave us a cup for us to make our libations before we took our seats. When that had been done and we had sipped the wine, we went to the chairs where we would sit to have dinner. All the seats were ranged down either side of the room, up against the walls. In the middle Attila was sitting on a couch with a second couch behind him. Behind that a few steps led up to his bed, which for decorative purposes was covered in ornate drapes made of fine linen, like those which Greeks and Romans prepare for marriage ceremonies.

The eldest son was sitting on Attila’s own couch, right on the very edge, with his eyes fixed on the ground in fear of his father.

A lavish meal, served on silver trenchers, was prepared for us and the other barbarians, but Attila just had some meat on a wooden platter, for this was one aspect of his self-discipline. For instance, gold or silver cups were presented to the other diners, but his own goblet was made of wood. His clothes, too, were simple, and no trouble was taken except to have them clean. The sword that hung by his side, the clasps of his barbarian shoes and the bridle of his horse were all free from gold, precious stones or other valuable decorations affected by the other Scythians.

As twilight came on torches were lit, and two barbarians entered before Attila to sing some songs they had composed, telling of his victories and his valor in war. The guests paid close attention to them, and some were delighted with the songs, others excited at being reminded of the wars, but others broke down and wept if their bodies were weakened by age and their warrior spirits forced to remain inactive.

After the songs, a Scythian entered, a crazy fellow who told a lot of strange and completely false stories, not a word of truth in them, which made everyone laugh. Following him came the moor, Zerkon, totally disorganized in appearance, clothes, voice and words. By mixing up the languages of the Italians with those of the Huns and Goths, he fascinated everyone and made them break out into uncontrollable laughter, all that is except Attila. He remained impassive, without any change of expression, and neither by word or gesture did he seem to share in the merriment except that when his youngest son, Ernas, came in and stood by him, he drew the boy towards him and looked at him with gentle eyes. I was surprised that he paid no attention to his other sons, and only had time for this one. But the barbarian at my side, who understood Italian and what I had said about the boy, warned me not to speak up, and said that the seers had told Attila that his family would be banished but would be restored by this son.”

References:    Priscus, Dinner with Attila, translated in Robinson, J. H., Readings in European History (1905); Gibbon, Edward, The History of the Decline and Fall of the Roman Empire (1896-1902); Thompson, E.A., A History of Attila and the Huns (1948).