Smart, conniving, and ruthless are adjectives used to describe
Attila the Hun terrorized both halves of the Roman Empire in the fifth century, invading and extorting more tribute in return for peace. The Romans were understandably terrified by this seemingly invincible barbarian king. But at least one Roman woman saw Attila as a potential hero.
Her name was Honoria, and she was the sister of the Western Roman emperor, Valentinian III. She had been sent into exile for having an affair with her brother's royal chamberlain, Eugenius, and for plotting to overthrow Valentinian. Honoria was sent to a convent; Eugenius was executed.
Trapped and desperate to escape, Honoria sent Attila her ring and a plea for help. If Attila would conquer the whole Empire, and she'd become queen. So Attila informed the Romans that he intended to marry Honoria -- and he expected to be given half the Western Roman empire as her dowry.
You can guess what happened next. The Romans refused Attila's demands, and Attila went on the attack. He invaded Gaul, but -- to his surprise -- the Romans defeated him in battle for the first time. Attila then withdrew from Gaul, although he got his revenge by sacking a number of Italian cities.
As for Honoria? After her overtures to Attila were discovered, Valentinian forced her to marry an elderly Roman senator. This was the fate Honoria dreaded all along. No one knows what happened to her after that.
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