encounter took place between the various nations Attila
had held under his sway. Kingdoms with their peoples
were divided, and out of one body were made many
members not responding to a common impulse. Being
deprived of their head, they madly strove against each
other. They never found their equals ranged against
them without harming each other by wounds mutually
given. And so the bravest nations tore themselves to
pieces. For then, I think, must have occurred a most
remarkable spectacle, where one might see the Goths
fighting with pikes, the Gepidae raging with the sword,
the Rugi breaking off the spears in their own wounds, the
Suavi fighting on foot, the Huns with bows, the Alani
drawing up a battle-line of heavy-armed and the Heruli
of light-armed warriors.

Finally, after many bitter conflicts, victory fell unexpectedly
to the Gepidae. For the sword and conspiracy 262
of Ardaric destroyed almost thirty thousand men, Huns
as well as those of the other nations who brought them
aid. In this battle fell Ellac, the elder son of Attila,
whom his father is said to have loved so much more than
all the rest that he preferred him to any child or even to
all the children of his kingdom. But fortune was not in
accord with his father's wish. For after slaying many
of the foe, it appears that he met his death so bravely
that, if his father had lived, he would have rejoiced at his
glorious end. When Ellac was slain, his remaining 263
brothers were put to flight near the shore of the Sea of
Pontus, where we have said the Goths first settled. Thus