D. 441
EDWARD GIBBON
Beyond the Great Wall of China, erected to secure the empire from
their encroachments, were numerous tribes of troublesome Hiongnou
who, becoming united under one head, were successful in an invasion
of that country. These confederated tribes became known as the
Huns. Until the advent of M. Deguignes all was dark concerning
them. That learned and laborious scholar conceived the idea that
the Huns might be thus identified, and has written the history from
Chinese sources, of those who since that time have poured down upon
the civilized countries of Asia and Europe and wasted them. Boulger
also identifies these tribes with the Huns of Attila. After driving
the Alani across the Danube and compelling them to seek an asylum
within the borders of the Roman Empire, the terrible Huns had
halted in their march westward for something more than a
generation. They were hovering, meantime, on the eastern frontiers
of the empire, "taking part like other barbarians in its
disturbances and alliances.
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