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Famous Men of the Middle Ages by John H. (John Henry) Haaren;Addison B. Poland
page 25 of 183 (13%)


King from 434-453 A.D.


I


The fierce and warlike tribe, called the Huns, who had driven the
Goths to seek new homes, came from Asia into Southeastern Europe
and took possession of a large territory lying north of the River
Danube.

During the first half of the fifth century the Huns had a famous
king named Attila. He was only twenty-one years old when he
became their king. But although he was young, he was very brave
and ambitious, and he wanted to be a great and powerful king.

Not far from Attila's palace there was a great rocky cave in the
mountains. In this cave lived a strange man called the "Hermit
of the Rocks." No one knew his real name, or from what country he
had come. He was very old, with wrinkled face and long gray hair
and beard.

Many persons believed that he was a fortune-teller, so people
often went to him to inquire what was to happen to them. One day,
shortly after he became king, Attila went to the cave to get his
fortune told.

"Wise man," said he, "look into the future and tell me what is
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