Rugila

Rugila, also known as Ruga or Rugila the Hun, was a chieftain of the Huns who led them in the late 4th and early 5th centuries CE. He was the father of Attila the Hun, the most famous Hunnic leader. Information about Rugila's life and reign is scarce, primarily coming from Roman and Gothic sources. He is credited with consolidating Hunnic power and expanding their territory, laying the groundwork for his son's later conquests.

Under Rugila's leadership, the Huns became a significant force in Eastern Europe. He engaged in diplomatic and military interactions with the Roman Empire, sometimes as an ally and other times as an adversary. He is believed to have received tribute from the Eastern Roman Empire, a practice that continued and intensified under Attila. His reign marked a period of growing Hunnic influence and a more organized approach to their interactions with settled populations.

While historical accounts are limited, Rugila is generally depicted as a capable ruler who maintained authority over the disparate Hunnic tribes. His death, likely around 434 CE, paved the way for the joint rule of his nephews, Attila and Bleda, and subsequently for Attila's sole command, which would see the Hunnic Empire reach its zenith. Rugila's legacy is largely defined by his role as the father of Attila and the leader who positioned the Huns as a formidable power on the European stage.