Laudaricus (died 451) was a prominent Hunnic chieftain and general active in the first half of the 5th century.

Biography

The '' Chronica Gallica of 511'' under the year 451 noted him as

Attila Attila ( or ; ), frequently called Attila the Hun, was the ruler of the Huns from 434 until his death in early 453. He was also the leader of an empire consisting of Huns, Ostrogoths, Alans, and Gepids, among others, in Central Europe, C ...

's blood relative (), who died at the

Battle of the Catalaunian Plains The Battle of the Catalaunian Plains (or Fields), also called the Battle of the Campus Mauriacus, Battle of Châlons, Battle of Troyes or the Battle of Maurica, took place on June 20, 451 AD, between a victorious coalition, led by the Roman ...

in 451 AD. He was the Huns' highest ranking casualty at this battle. The outcome of the battle is uncertain, but Kim, pointing out that the death of a commanding general in battle often meant defeat at the time. The only relic found at the site of the battle ( Châlons) was a Hunnish cauldron. Kim suggests this was likely used for the burial of Laudaricus, the Huns' most prestigious casualty.

Etymology

M. Schönfeld considered the name to be of Germanic origin, ''*Lauda reiks'' (possibly "famous king"; compare ''Ludwig''). Omeljan Pritsak proposed possible Gothicization and correction of the name by the chronicler from Turkic ''*Valda'' > ''Velda'' (< ''*Belda'' > '' Bleda''). Otto J. Maenchen-Helfen thought the name was Germanic, ''*Laudareiks''.

References

Sources

* * {{Huns 451 deaths Kings of the Huns Year of birth unknown Attila the Hun People killed in action 5th-century generals