Attila: A Romance. Vol. I

In Short

G. P. R. James’s historical romance captures the collision between a crumbling Roman civilization and the relentless expansion of the Hunnic leader Attila. When an earthquake and barbarian incursions uproot young Theodore and his beloved Ildica from their home in Dalmatia, Theodore is bound by honor to serve the conqueror for seven years. Amid forest court intrigues, ancient prophecies, and impending wars, the lovers strive to maintain their fidelity and faith. The novel endures for its rich, atmospheric depiction of late antiquity, its elevated moral tone, and its sweeping romantic drama set against a world in upheaval.

The Story

The narrative opens in the lush landscape of Dalmatia, where the young Roman Theodore is reunited with his beloved Ildica, her mother Flavia, and her siblings. Their quiet happiness is abruptly shattered when a violent earthquake devastates the countryside, leaving their ancestral home in ruins. In the aftermath of this calamity, the family seeks safety, only to find the Roman provinces thrown into utter chaos by barbarian invasions and political fragility. Moving across the landscape to escape the advancing danger, Theodore and his companions soon encounter the formidable forces of the Huns, led by their famous chieftain, Attila.

During a sudden clash, Theodore is taken captive alongside his followers by Ardaric, King of the Gepidae, who presents him as a gift to Attila. Struck by the young Roman's courage and high-minded refusal to become a servile bondman, Attila offers him an unusual pact. In exchange for the freedom and safe passage of Ildica, Flavia, and their attendants, Theodore must pledge seven years of his life to remain at Attila’s side as a trusted friend and counsellor, though he is explicitly excused from bearing arms or advising against his Roman homeland. Accepting these terms to preserve the women he loves, Theodore bids a painful farewell to Ildica and enters the service of the barbarian king.

As Theodore travels through ravaged lands marked by burned villages and ruined Roman cities, he witnesses the stark reality of Attila's campaign. Introduced to the inner circles of the Hunnic camp, he observes both the simplicity of their warlike lifestyle and the gathering political tensions among tributary kings like Ardaric and Attila’s brother, Bleda. During a journey into a remote mountain cave, a Christian hermit and the wild prophet Mizetus confront the king, hailing him as the "Scourge of God"—a title Attila calmly accepts as his divine mandate.

While living among the barbarians, Theodore earns further esteem by rescuing a young Hunnic prince from a furious wild urus, and he navigates complex personal encounters, including the quiet affection of a local maiden named Neva, to whom he remains gently faithful by declaring his devotion to Ildica. Meanwhile, the displaced women journey toward safety in the mountain regions near the Bavarian Tyrol. When Theodore is granted temporary leave to secure their passage and arrange their refuge, he briefly meets Ildica once more. Knowing their long separation is far from over, the two part with tearful resolve, committed to enduring the uncertain years ahead.

How It Unfolds

The storm and the quake A serene evening in Dalmatia turns to terror when an earthquake shatters the peace of Theodore and Ildica's family, forcing them to abandon their ruined palace for Salona.

Flight through the borderlands Facing widespread disorder and approaching armies, the family flees through northern provinces in search of safety, constantly threatened by the breakdown of imperial authority.

The monarch's bargain Captured by barbarian forces, Theodore refuses to live as a slave, prompting Attila to offer him a seven-year oath of honorable counsel in exchange for Ildica’s freedom.

Journey through desolation Travelling alongside the Hunnish host, Theodore witnesses the terrible aftermath of invasion, passing burning hamlets, ruined Roman villas, and desolate landscapes along the Danube.

The scourge proclaimed In a mountain cavern, a wild enthusiast confronts Attila, bestowing upon him the title "Scourge of God," which the king accepts with dark, majestic composure.

A life saved in the forest Theodore proves his valour by springing to the defense of a fallen boy, driving off a wounded urus and further cementing his standing among the barbarian leaders.

Parting at the mountains After securing safe passage for his family toward the Bavarian Tyrol, Theodore bids a bitter, silent farewell to Ildica, returning to fulfill his bounden service to the king.

The People

• Theodore: A brave, noble young Roman whose fierce sense of honor prevents him from submitting to slavery, forcing him to accept a seven-year pledge of service to Attila to protect his family.
• Ildica: Theodore’s steadfast betrothed, who possesses a deep, quiet strength and endures displacement and long separations while remaining devoted to her lover.
• Attila: The mighty and formidable ruler of the Huns, who combines ruthless military power with a stern, majestic sense of justice and respect for true courage.
• Flavia: The noble matriarch and mother of Ildica, who guides her family through sudden calamity and exile with calm wisdom.
• Ardaric: The honorable King of the Gepidae, a key ally and tributary ruler under Attila, who respects Theodore's bravery from their first encounter.
• Ammian: A bright, adventurous young relative whose lively imagination and bold spirit remain unbroken despite the disasters around him.
• Neva: A gentle maiden in the barbarian lands whose tender feelings for Theodore are met with his polite, unwavering fidelity to Ildica.

In Its Own Voice

"Music was in the air, and loveliness was spread out over the earth as a mantle."

Before disaster strikes, the story opens upon the peaceful and splendid scenery of Dalmatia.

"Out upon auguries, my beloved," he replied; "we hold a better faith, and place our trust in God, who made our hearts and formed us for each other."

Theodore reassures Ildica against dark omens shortly before their quiet world is shattered by calamity.

"Know that thou art no more than a sword in the hands of the slayer; a rod in the hands of Him who is appointed to chastise."

A wild prophet in a mountain cavern proclaims Attila's destructive role in the unfolding history of the world.

What It's Really About

Underneath its dramatic plot of exile and barbarian invasion, the novel explores the fragility of human civilization when confronted by irresistible historical change. It contrasts the refined but decaying elegance of the late Roman world with the raw power and strict, unyielding codes of the nomadic conquerors. Through Theodore’s oath, the story examines the weight of moral integrity, demonstrating how personal honor and faith can survive even under the most oppressive circumstances. The narrative asks whether individual love and virtue can endure when great empires fracture and the world itself seems to crumble into dust and ashes.

Why Read It Today

Readers who appreciate classic nineteenth-century historical fiction in the tradition of Walter Scott will find much to admire in G. P. R. James's expansive canvas. The novel offers a vivid, highly atmospheric journey into a lesser-known era of late antiquity, rich with formal dialogue, dramatic confrontations, and striking descriptions of ancient landscapes. Its world is vast, filled with forest courts, imperial ruins, and sweeping vistas stretching from the Danube to the Alpine peaks.

While modern readers must adapt to its unhurried pace, elevated language, and nineteenth-century stylistic conventions, the core emotional conflicts remain compelling. The romance between Theodore and Ildica is grounded in genuine sacrifice, and the portrayal of Attila avoids simple villainy, rendering him as a complex, imposing figure of destiny. It is a work that rewards patient reading, leaving a lasting impression of courage and devotion maintained against the backdrop of a falling world.