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The Heim of Barbel Gepid -- [Entrance ] [Courtyard ] [Library ] [Study ]

Our greatest king was Ardaric, who ruled the tribe in the years of the Hunnic domination.

He was a trusted and loyal lieutenant of Attila, and the Gepids formed the right wing of Attila's army at the Battle of Chalons in 451 AD.

After Attila's death Ardaric led the rebellion of several Germanic and Indo-Iranian subject tribes against Attila's son Ellac.

This war reached its climax at the Battle of the Nedao River in 454 AD, where the rebel tribes defeated the Huns and their remaining allies and won their freedom.

The victory gave the Gepids new power and territory, making them a force to be reckoned with. The Eastern Empire agreed to a treaty with them and the Ostrogoths found their old rivals more troublesome than ever.

In 469 AD an alliance of Gepids, Rugians, Skirians and some Eastern Roman troops met the Ostrogoths in battle on the River Bolia, but were defeated. This did not seriously reduce their power however and in 471 AD they captured the city of Sirmium.

Thy fame is ancient as the days,
As Ocean large and wide:
A pride that dares, and heeds not praise,
A stern and silent pride:
Not that false joy that dreams content
With what our sires have won;
The blood a hero sire hath spent
Still nerves a hero son.