He was "famed for his loyalty and wisdom," one of the most trusted adherents of
Attila the Hun, who "prized him above all the other chieftains." Ardaric is first mentioned by Jordanes as Attila's most prized vassal at the
Battle of the Catalaunian Plains (451): :"The renowned king of the Gepidae, Ardaric, was there also with a countless host, and because of his great loyalty to Attila, he shared his plans. For Attila, comparing them in his wisdom, prized him and Valamir, king of the Ostrogoths, above all the other chieftains." (Jordanes,
Getica, trans. C. C. Mierow, 1915)
Battle of Nedao After Attila's death in 453, Ardaric led the rebellion against Attila's sons and routed them in the
Battle of Nedao, thus ending the
Huns' dominance in Eastern Europe. Since Attila's death, his eldest son Ellak had risen to power. Supported by Attila's chief lieutenant, Onegesius, he wanted to assert the absolute control with which Attila had ruled, while Attila's other two sons,
Dengizik and Ernak, claimed kingship over smaller subject tribes. In 454, Ardaric led his Gepid and Ostrogothic forces against Attila's son Ellak and his Hunnish army. The
Battle of Nedao was a bloody but decisive victory for Ardaric, in which Ellak was killed. Ardaric's most immediate achievement was the establishment of his people in
Dacia. His defeat of the Huns at the River Nedao reduced the threat of invasion posed to the
Eastern Roman Empire.
Death Ardaric's year of death is unknown. The Gepid king
Mundo (
Mundonus), who ruled in the early 6th century, was probably his grandson. There an encounter took place between the various nations Attila had held under his sway. Kingdoms with their peoples were divided, and out of one body were made many members not responding to a common impulse. Being deprived of their head, they madly strove against each other. They never found their equals ranged against them without harming each other by wounds mutually given. And so the bravest nations tore themselves to pieces. For then, I think, must have occurred a most remarkable spectacle, where one might see the Goths fighting with pikes, the Gepidae raging with the sword, the Rugi breaking off the spears in their own wounds, the Suavi fighting on foot, the Huns with bows, the Alani drawing up a battle-line of heavy-armed and the Heruli of light-armed warriors.The cause of Ardaric, king of the Gepidae, was fortunate for the various nations who were unwillingly subject to the rule of the Huns, for it raised their long downcast spirits to the glad hope of freedom... Finally, after many bitter conflicts, victory fell unexpectedly to the Gepidae. For the sword and conspiracy of Ardaric destroyed almost thirty thousand men, Huns as well as those of the other nations who brought them aid. ''"But the Gepidae by their own might won for themselves the territory of the Huns and ruled as victors over the extent of all Dacia, demanding of the Roman Empire nothing more than peace and an annual gift as a pledge of their friendly alliance. This the Emperor freely granted at the time, and to this day that race receives its customary gifts from the Roman Emperor." Jordanes, Getica, trans. Mierow (1915), pp. 259-262 --> ==See also==