The Huns 6

Hun Weapons

Weapons

The Huns were known to be superior horsemen. Atilla (Attila), for example, developed exceptional skills of horsemanship. He also became superior in the use of the bow, the lance, the lariat, the sword, and the whip. The Sword of Atilla was referred to as being the Sword of God (or the Sword of the War God). The Sword of God is talked about in a legend of the Huns. It is stated that the carrier of the sword will win every battle, and have the power to conquer the entire Earth. It is stated that a shepherd found a sword that was partially buried in the ground. The shepard dug it up, and then he took it to Atilla. It is further stated that Atilla rejoiced in the gift, and took it as a sign, that through that sword, he would achieve victory in war. Atilla used it as both a military weapon and a symbol of divine favor, which may have also contributed to his reputation as being, "the Scourge of God," a divinely-appointed punisher. 

The Huns also had women warriors. They hunted and fought along side of the men. The bow was the main weapon that was used by the Huns. The type of bow that they used was a reflexed composite bow. These bows were powerful, but easy to draw. Therefore, women warriors were not at a disadvantage when using a Hun bow. 

Warfare on horseback made the Huns faster and more maneuverable than their enemies were. It is stated that a Hun could shoot from a bow at full gallop. They also used lassos to dismount an enemy. When the Huns had weakened their enemy, by an onslaught of arrows, they would then move in and engage them in hand to hand combat. The Huns would use javelins, swords, and tomahawks, etc., at close range. It was stated that a warrior could only keep what he pillaged if he took heads, or slaves. Therefore, they would typically collect enemy heads after a battle.

The Roman writer, Ammianus Marcellinus, wrote: The nation of the Huns surpasses all other barbarians in wildness of life. It is stated (according to ancient reports), that their steeds would actually fight for them in battle, with teeth and hooves. 

In a typical attack, the Huns appeared as if from out of nowhere. They would approach their enemy using the terrain to hide their warriors until they were within arrow range. Then, one flank would fire their arrows at high angles to cause the defenders to raise their shields. When this occurred, another flank would fire their arrows directly into the enemy lines. Once the Huns had inflicted sufficient casualties, they would close in to finish off the survivors. In close combat, as was stated, the Huns fought with spears, swords, and tomahawks. While their enemy was often intent upon parrying with a sword, they would throw a net over him in order to entangle his limbs, so that he could not fight. Then, they would pillage the camp or the town of their enemy. The Huns often killed the occupants, and burned the overrun towns. Then, they melted away, leaving only destruction behind them.

A description of the various weapons, that were used by the Huns, is expanded upon below:

Bows

The Huns were mounted archers. They used a reflexed composite bow. It was made out of several materials, as opposed to a single piece of wood. When it was strung, the ends of the bow curved away from the archer. The bow was designed to deliver greater power, for the same length as a simple bow. Therefore, a shorter composite bow had the same power as a much longer simple bow. Its smaller size made it ideal for use on horseback. The Huns used arrows, that had sharp bones, fastened to the shafts.

Tomahawks 

A Hunnic tomahawk (or a Scythian axe) was a handheld axe. It had a curved and tapered iron head that widened near the bit. It was placed on a straight wooden handle that had a leather grip. It was typically used in a final assault.

Javelins and Lances

A javelin is a spear that is designed to be thrown. However, at close range, a javelin could also be thrust into a target (an enemy). In contrast to a javelin, a lance was a spear that was not designed to be thrown at an enemy warrior. It was designed to be used by a mounted warrior, and it was designed to be thrust against, or thrust into an enemy warrior.

Swords 

Like a javelin, or a tomahawk, a sword was typically used at close range, in a final assault. The Huns used long, double edged swords. Many of the Huns also had a second sword (that was a short sword), or a large dagger. Most often, these short swords and daggers were used in close combat, during a final assault.

Lassos and Nets

A lasso was used to drag another warrior off of his horse and to the ground. A net was also used. A net was slung over an enemy in order to entangle him in it. It was typically used against a warrior while he was busy parrying a sword.

Whips

It is stated that one of the weapons that Atilla became superior in the use of was the whip. However, a whip is a tool that is traditionally used to exert control over animals or other people. It is also stated that a whip is not considered to be an adequate tool to use in warfare. Thus, it appears that the Huns would not be using a traditional whip as a weapon. Therefore, maybe the term whip was being used to refer to a flail or a mace flail, rather than a traditional whip. A flail consists of a round or an egg-shaped object (which may be made of bronze or iron, etc.), that is attached to a wooden handle by either leather thonging or a chain. Typically, the round or egg-shaped object is fixed to the end of a wooden handle or a metal bar on a mace. However, the round or egg-shaped object becomes a flail when it is attached to a wooden handle or a metal bar by either leather thonging or a chain. Flails take different forms. These are examples of different types of flails:

Siege Weapons: Catapults, Battering Rams, and Siege Towers

A catapult is a device that uses tension to suddenly release and hurl an object (typically a large rock) a given distance. Medieval catapults include the Mangonel, Ballista, and Trebuchet. The Mangonel was not as accurate as the Ballista, but it could throw a missile further than a Trebuchet could. A Missile was thrown in an overhead arc, in contrast to a Ballista. The latter used a dart, that was shot in a straight trajectory motion towards the target. A catapult could be used to smash down the walls of a city.

A battering ram was another siege weapon that was used to smash down a wall of a city. It could be held, or it could be manipulated on a wheeled cart. Some battering rams also had a protective overhead cover, that was installed on the cart, so that those yielding it would have some degree of protection from enemy forces shooting arrows at them, or throwing or dropping things on them, from the walls of the city that they were attempting to enter.

A siege tower (or a belfry) was designed to protect warriors when they were approaching the defensive walls of a fortification. It was also designed to enable them to access the walls of the fortification. It consisted of an elevated platform that was protected by walls. The warriors would climb to the platform on ladders. The siege tower was then wheeled up to the city or the castle wall, and a door in the front of the platform was swung open. The door was actually a drawbridge that was let out on top of the city or the castle wall. It acted like a ramp that the warriors could use to get inside of the city or the castle from.

Horses

The Huns had horses that were sturdy and tough. Their horses were small, and hairy, with long manes and long bushy tails. The horses also had large, long heads, and short legs with broad hooves. Additionally, the horses possessed large eyes. Their horses could regroup quickly. This was the Huns main tactic. They would disperse, reunite, and then disperse again. The Huns used this tactic, because they wanted to surprise their enemy in a battle. (However, it is stated that Atilla had a different type of horse. He had a black charger. A charger is a medieval war-horse.) 

A Hunnish saddle was made of felt or leather, and it was stuffed with hair. It also had room to carry a number of weapons on it. The use of stirrups also gave the Huns an advantage over other warriors of the time. Stirrups supported a horse rider's feet, whereby, he could brace himself on his horse while wielding a sword, or while he was shooting arrows.

Armor

The Huns wore scale armor. (These scales were made of horse hooves.) Later, the Huns wore bronze breast plates and helmets. A Hun's helmet had a front plate on it that was large enough to protect his nose. The Huns also used two types of shields. The first shield was larger, and it was used for foot soldiers. The second type of shield was smaller, and it was used for fighting on horse back. The latter shield was made of leather stretched over wood.

Note

See the section on, "The Hun Military," for information on the tactics the Huns used against their enemies.

References

Ensminger, Taylor, and, Bach, Parker. (2015). The Huns. BMS Ancient Civilizations. https://bmssancientcivilizations.wikispaces.com/Huns.

Mark, Joshua. (2014). Atilla the Hun. Ancient History Encyclopedia. http://www.ancient.eu/Attila_the_Hun/

J.L.