Hun-Germanic relations

This thesis study was carried out to examine the origin of the Huns, their migration to Europe and the Hun-Germanic relations. The origins and migrations of the Huns were discussed in the light of the information provided by Roman, Sogdian, Indian and Chinese sources. In addition, it has been referred to the discussions on the Xiongnu-Hun identity theory. The political and military relations of the Huns with the Germanic tribes were explained and evaluated according to the information presented in Roman sources and modern studies. In this research, it has been seen that the Huns were the continuation of the Xiongnu and constituted the ancestors of the Turks. At the beginning of the second half of the 4th century, it was understood that the Huns who migrated from the Altai Region crossed Kazakhstan and reached the Volga River region. In the first years of the 370s, the Huns crossing the Don River defeated the Ostrogoths first and then the Visigoths. Thus, the relations of the Huns with the Germanic tribes began. These relations continued until the last quarter of the 5th century. In this process, it was seen that the Germanic people with whom the Huns had relations in political, military and social fields were composed of Ostrogoth, Visigoth, Gepid, Heruli, Sciri, Rugi, Vandal, Süevi, Burgundian and Franks. Huns played a role especially in the migration of Visigoths and Vandals; therefore, it was understood that the Germans caused them to seize the lands of the Roman Empire. Starting from the Uldız period, the Huns benefited from the Germanic tribes under their rule as an auxiliary force. By the time of Attila, especially Ostrogoths and Gepids had important roles in the political and military fields within the Hun Empire. However, after Attila, the Germanic tribes led by the Gepids took action against the Hun domination. It has been determined that this attempt of the Germans was effective in the collapse of the Huns.