Battle of the Nedao
In the battle of the Nedao , a river in Pannonia , the Gepids and their allies decisively defeated the Huns in 454 (455 is sometimes also suggested) . The defeat meant the end of the Huns.
Starting position and course of the battle
Attila's death in 453 was used by the Gepids under their leader Ardarich as an opportunity to revolt against Attila's sons. The Skiren under Edekon , Rugier , Heruler , Donausueben , Sarmatians and probably also parts of the Ostrogoths joined them. However, the composition of this anti-Hunn coalition is not a minor problem for modern historical research, especially with regard to the Goths, the sources are inconsistent, especially since the Goths also fought on the side of the Huns. In any case, with the death of Attila, the insurgent associations apparently saw their loyalty relationship, which they interpreted as being tied only to the person of Attila, as dissolved. The Huns, led by Attila's son Ellac , had nothing to oppose this contingent. Around 30,000 Huns are said to have died in the battle, including Ellac himself ( Jordanes , Getica 262). The surviving Huns fled eastward across the Carpathian Mountains and into the southern Russian plain, others entered the Roman military service, for example. The son of Attila Dengizich later tried again in vain to establish a Hunnic empire.
Place of battle
The exact location or the current name of the river Nedao is unknown, but since the Gepids settled in Transylvania and the residence of Attila and his successors is to be found on the Tisza , it should be one of the rivers in the area between the Danube and the Carpathian Arch .
literature
- Helmut Castritius : Nedao. In: Reallexikon der Germanischen Altertumskunde (RGA). 2nd Edition. Volume 21, Walter de Gruyter, Berlin / New York 2002, ISBN 3-11-017272-0 , pp. 49-51.
- Otto J. Maenchen-Helfen : The world of the Huns. An analysis of its historical dimension. German-language edition provided by Robert Göbl . Böhlau, Wien et al. 1978, ISBN 3-205-07119-0 , p. 110 ff. (Reprinted as: Die Welt der Huns. Origin, history, religion, society, warfare, art, language. VMA-Verlag, Wiesbaden 1997, ISBN 3-928127-43-8 ).