Attila

Attila (2001)

3 corrected entries in show generally

(1 vote)

Correction: It's a fact Aetius supported the usurper Johannes against Placidia, the baby Valentinian and Theodosius in 423. When Johannes was executed, Aetius used his army of mercenary Huns to become comes (count) of Gaul. In 432 Placidia fired him, after which he fled back to the Huns and their king Ruga, who provided him with an army. With this army he regained his position, personnally killing his rival Bonifatius in a duel. So I think the movie is quite accurate in pointing out Aetius had a darker side to him.

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Corrected entry: Trebuchets were not invented until at least the 8th century (most references say 12th or 13th). Some of Attila's "catapults," however, are small trebuchets.

megamii

Correction: Trebuchets were presumably invented in China between the 5th and 3rd century BC. Attila is reported to have used them when he succesfully besieged (and thereafter sacked) Naissus (present day Nis).

Correction: This is not true. Honoria was indeed devoted to virginity at the orders of her brother, but this was a situation she did not find to her liking to put it mildly. Around 449 AD, she was apprehended in a love affair with the overseer of her estates. It was presumed that both were engaged in a plot to seize power for Honoria. The overseer was executed and Honoria was exiled to Constantinople. All these events are depicted quite accurately in the movie.

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Factual error: Aetius' troops don't look anything like 5th century Roman soldiers. They are carrying a large rectangular shield, a pilum (a spear which was used for throwing) and a sword (gladius) on their right. This was typical for the Roman army until about the 3rd century A.D. In Aetius' time, the soldiers would have had smaller oval shields, a hasta (a lance used for stabbing and for fending off cavalry attacks) and a sword (spatha) on their left. Also, there would be an enormous amount of "barbarian" mercenaries in the Roman army (Goths, Vandals, even Huns.), so it was hardly a Roman army anymore. And where's Aetius' cavalry?

More mistakes in Attila

Ildico: You do you marry, me or N'Kara?

More quotes from Attila

Trivia: In the movie, a soldier called Petronius unsuccessfully tries to murder the emperor Valentinian. The name "Petronius" was probably chosen because in reality the emperor was eventually killed by a senator called Petronius.

More trivia for Attila

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