Attila: A Romance. Vol. II

In Short

This historical romance reimagines the final years of Attila the Hun, weaving a narrative of political intrigue, fated prophecy, and the collision between the barbarian world and the declining Roman Empire. Centered on the noble Roman youth Theodore and the beautiful Ildica, the story depicts a volatile world where personal loyalties are tested by the whims of a ruthless, shifting monarch. It remains a classic example of 19th-century romantic fiction, blending grand, sweeping depictions of ancient warfare with the intimate, often tragic, emotional lives of individuals caught in history’s grip.

The Story

The narrative follows the turbulent life of Attila, the King of the Huns, who is haunted by a hermit’s prophecy: his life and fortune are tethered to the safety of a young Roman, Theodore. Attila, sensing the truth in this warning, keeps Theodore close, shielding him from the jealous machinations of his own kin, specifically his brother Bleda. While Attila conquers and dominates, Theodore struggles to remain loyal to his Roman identity while navigating the barbaric splendor of the Hunnish court. His heart, however, belongs to the noble Ildica, from whom he is separated by the vast, warring distances of the ancient world.

As Attila’s power reaches its zenith, the king becomes increasingly erratic, shifting from a leader of calculated, cold justice to an unpredictable tyrant consumed by suspicion and excess. He demands that Ildica be brought to him to be his bride, setting off a dangerous race against time. Theodore, desperate to save his beloved, finds himself in a tense game of wits with the Roman Emperor Valentinian—a weak, cruel man who views the youth with hostility—and the inscrutable Attila himself.

The climax of the book is defined by the shifting fortunes of the Hunnish empire. Attila leads his massive, diverse host across Europe, intending to strike at the heart of the Roman world. Yet, the internal decay of his own court, marked by his paranoia and the influence of those who wish to see him fall, begins to undermine his absolute authority. In a final, desperate confrontation, the Hunnish forces are shattered by the Gepidae and other revolting tribes, signaling the end of Attila’s dominion.

The conclusion is somber and reflective. While Ildica manages to secure her freedom through a profound and agonizing sacrifice, the cost is the total destruction of her life with Theodore as they once imagined it. Decades later, a broken but surviving Theodore visits the grave of his beloved, accompanied by Neva, a witness to the era’s chaos. The empire of the West has crumbled, and the grandeur of the past is reduced to the quiet silence of a cemetery, leaving the reader to contemplate the hollow nature of historical greatness and the enduring, painful memory of lost love.

How It Unfolds

The king’s discovery Attila discovers the remains of a servant who was murdered for protecting Theodore, triggering a dark vow to protect his young Roman protégé at all costs. This revelation cements the bond between the monarch and the youth, which is essential to the king's prophesied success.

The vow of protection The king consults a desert hermit who reaffirms that Attila's life is linked to Theodore’s; should any harm befall the youth, the king’s own death will follow. Attila commands Theodore to remain by his side, ostensibly for safety, even as the youth pines for his distant love.

A court of contrasts The narrative vividly describes the lavish, jewel-encrusted Hunnish camp, where the king sits in simple, austere attire, wielding power that makes the wealth of the East look like dust. This setting highlights the psychological distance between the primitive, powerful Huns and the decaying, decadent Roman administration.

The king’s obsession Attila grows increasingly volatile, and his desire to claim Ildica as his own introduces a lethal conflict that threatens to consume everyone involved. Theodore, trapped between his duty to the king and his devotion to Ildica, must navigate the treacherous political waters of the Roman and Hunnish camps.

The final stand The empire of the Huns begins to crack under the weight of Attila's paranoia and the shifting allegiances of his vassal tribes. The climactic battle sees the total destruction of the Hunnish army, ending an era of terror and leading to the eventual dispersal of the surviving characters.

The People

Attila, the central figure, transitions from a terrifying, disciplined conqueror to a suspicious and broken man. He is driven by a singular, cold willpower that eventually buckles under his own pride. Theodore acts as the moral anchor of the story; his unwavering love for Ildica and his refusal to betray his Roman heritage, despite his close association with the Huns, mark him as a tragic, principled figure. Ildica serves as the emotional heart of the romance; her beauty and grace make her a target for the king’s obsession, but her quiet strength and devotion to her faith allow her to navigate a world that views her as mere property. Valentinian, the Roman Emperor, provides a stark contrast to Attila; he is a weak, spiteful tyrant whose petty cruelty highlights the incompetence of the crumbling Roman state. Finally, Neva provides a secondary perspective on the tragedy, serving as a loyal companion to Ildica and a witness to the inexorable decline of the characters' lives.

In Its Own Voice

"There, too, were all faces, forms, and complexions, from the small-eyed Tartar of remote Thibet to the fair-haired Northman and the blue-eyed Goth."

This description captures the vast, diverse, and somewhat alien nature of the Hunnish host as they gather in a display of barbaric splendor.

"He is changed, Ildica, he is changed! Within the last two years a change has come over him which renders him no longer the same man."

Neva warns Ildica about the dangerous instability of the king, noting how his descent into suspicion and wine has replaced the reliable, if ruthless, justice he once displayed.

"The empire of the West was at an end, and the empire of the East revived for a time with a show of false prosperity."

This reflection on the historical aftermath underscores the book's melancholy view that grand imperial ambitions ultimately dissolve into nothingness.

What It's Really About

The book explores the fragility of power and the hollowness of absolute authority. It poses a central question: what happens to the human heart when it is forced to survive within the machinery of empire? Attila represents a force of nature—a man who believes he can conquer destiny itself—only to find that his fate is tied to the most vulnerable, human elements he seeks to control. The narrative argues that historical shifts are not merely the result of grand troop movements, but are shaped by the personal failings, secret prayers, and private sacrifices of the individuals caught in the crossfire. It is a meditation on the cost of glory and the quiet, persistent power of memory long after the conquerors have turned to dust.

Why Read It Today

Readers who enjoy the sprawling, atmospheric epics of the 19th century will find much to admire here. The author possesses a keen eye for physical detail, from the "everlasting green" of Helvetian valleys to the stark, chilling sight of a skeleton hanging by a single nail in the woods. Reading this book feels like stepping into a tapestry of romanticized history, where the language is ornate and the emotional stakes are always at a fever pitch.

However, modern readers should be prepared for the pacing, which occasionally slows to accommodate long meditations on the nature of war and morality. The period-specific attitudes—particularly the author’s tendency to describe non-Western cultures through the lens of early 19th-century European perspectives—may strike some as dated or overtly orientalist. Furthermore, the prose is dense and relies on a level of Victorian formality that requires patience. Yet, for those who value the "romance" of history—the idea that the past is a place of deep, personal longing and existential tragedy—it offers a poignant experience. The final, quiet scene at the grave stays with you, serving as a sobering reminder that while empires rise and fall with thunderous noise, the true history of the world is often written in the silence of those who survive the storm.