Laudaricus

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

Battle of the Catalaunian Plains from a 13th-century miniature

Biography

The Chronica Gallica of 511 under the year 451 noted him as Attila's blood relative (Latin: Cognatus Attilae), who died at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains in 451 AD.^[1][2] He was the Huns' highest ranking casualty at this battle.^[3] 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.^[4]

The only relic found at the site of the battle (Châlons) was a Hunnish cauldron.^[4] Kim suggests this was likely used for the burial of Laudaricus, the Huns' most prestigious casualty.^[4]

Etymology

M. Schönfeld considered the name to be of Germanic origin, *Lauda reiks (possibly "famous king"; compare Ludwig).^[1][2] Omeljan Pritsak proposed possible Gothicization and correction of the name by the chronicler from Turkic *Valda > Velda (< *Belda > Bleda).^[2] Otto J. Maenchen-Helfen thought the name was Germanic, *Laudareiks.^[5]