The Huns

Historical Context Note

Litencyc Editors (Independent Scholar - Europe)
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  • The Literary Encyclopedia. Volume 7.1.3: Mongol and Turkic Writing and Culture.

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A nomadic people originating in the steppes of central Asia. Their precise origins remain unclear and they may have been related to the tribes whose attacks on the Chinese empire led to the construction of the Great Wall (221-210 BCE) which was only partially effective in holding them back.

The Hun migrated into Europe during the 4th century CE and eventually brought about the downfall of the Roman empire. The cause of this migration was probably a response to a worsening climate. Genetically different to contemporary Europeans, they struck the Romans as a short, stocky race, without facial hair, dressed in animal skins, fiercely attached to their little horses, ferocious and tireless in battle and as fast as lightning. Their characteristic method of fighting was to suddenly appear

284 words

Citation: Editors, Litencyc. "The Huns". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 16 November 2005 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/stopics.php?rec=true&UID=1630, accessed 16 April 2024.]

1630 The Huns 2 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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