Death by Candlelight

Attila died in the in the beginning of 453 on his wedding night to a Germanic woman named Ildico. He was 47 years old with most information resources citing his birth year as 406. However, unlike the movie, Ildico did not poison and kill Attila. In celebration of his marriage to his new bride, Attila drank quite heavily during the evening. Later, he collapsed on his bed and died from a nosebleed (or esophageal swollen vein) choking to death on his own blood. When visited by his loyal servants the next morning, Ildico was found quivering and crying in a corner. Attila had reigned as King of the Huns from 434 until his death.

His warriors, upon discovering his demise, mourned him by cutting off their hair and gashing themselves with their swords so that "the greatest of all warriors should be mourned with no feminine lamentations and with no tears, but with the blood of men." His horsemen galloped around in circles around the silken tent, singing. He was buried in a triple coffin of gold, silver, and iron with spoils from his victorious battles. The attendants at his funeral were killed in order to keep his burial place a secret.

Although Attila spent 19 years as King of the Huns, fighting battles and strengthening his ever burgeoning empire, his vast kingdom did not last very long after his death. Ellak, his eldest son and appointed successor, argued with Attila's other 2 sons, Dengizik and Ernakh. They could not agree amongst themselves and fought over Attila's empire. In 454, the year following Attila's death, Ellak entered into the Battle of Nedao against the Ostrogoths. Helpless without the powerful leadership of Attila, the opposing forces overwhelmed Ellak's troops and he was defeated. The Hunnic empire crumbled. Ellak was subsequently killed in combat in 455, surviving only 2 years longer than his famous Father.