Unstoppable Facts About Attila The Hun, The Scourge Of God

Unstoppable Facts About Attila The Hun, The Scourge Of God

Feared By All

In 5th-century Europe, nearly everyone in power knew of Attila, and those who were wise hoped to never come face to face with him. With his legions of Huns, Attila became a terror, taking what he wanted and overcoming all who tried to stop him. Despite his legacy of conquest, he was far from the uncivilized barbarian that the Europeans painted him as—but he still capitalized on their fear.

Attila-Msn2

1. They Wrote About Him

During his lifetime, and for centuries after, Attila’s reputation grew throughout the world as an indomitable enemy, both feared and respected. However, even with such an enormous presence, the more complex details of his life, reign, and even personality remain vague. This is because, ironically, while there are a few sources from his contemporaries, most of the surviving records telling his story come from those he called enemies.

As such, his history has prompted many debates.

File:Attila Hunnorum Rex Flagellum Dei Aquilejae Eversor Utini Instaurator.jpgJulio Strozza, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

2. He Had Many Names

Because so little is clear about Attila’s life, and since the Huns ruled over several cultural groups, the origin of his name is unclear. A widely accepted possibility is an East Germanic origin, which would translate to “little father”. Eventually, though, the 15th-century Chronica Hungarorum would refer to Attila as the “Flagellum Dei,” meaning the “Scourge of God”.

Of course, having several names is common for those of regal birth.

File:Attila-ChroniconPictum.jpgAnonymus (P. Magister), Wikimedia Commons

3. He Was Royalty

Many historians believe Attila’s birth year to be sometime between 390 and 410, but no matter when, he would soon grow up under the rule of his uncles, Octar and Ruga. It was common for two Hunnic chieftains to rule jointly as kings, and as his father was their brother, 

Attila was on route to succeeding them.

Soon, he would assume this responsibility.

File:Attila (basso), figurino di Pietro Rovaglia per Attila (1846) - Archivio Storico Ricordi ICON001476.jpgCreator:Pietro Rovaglia, Wikimedia Commons

4. They Stepped Up

Octar and Ruga led the Huns until they both perished sometime in the 430s, with Octar passing during a military campaign, and some saying a thunderbolt struck Ruga down. In their uncles' places, once again acting as joint kings, Attila and his brother, Bleda, ascended the throne.

Fortunately, they had prepared for this.

File:Attila (Képes krónika) crop.jpgMark of Kalt, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

5. They Developed Skills

The popular view of the Hunnic people became that of somewhat primitive barbarians, but Attila and his brother’s upbringing strongly suggests otherwise. They studied the tactics of both peace and conflict, and learned to speak Gothic and Latin. Of course, they were still skilled warriors who also trained in archery, swordplay, and managing horses.

At the same time, they weren’t the only ones considered extremely skilled.

File:Attila szobor - Dunakeszi - 7.jpgVincze Jozsef, Czinege Istvan, Wikimedia Commons

6. They Had A Reputation

Even before Attila and Bleda came to power, the Huns had made a name for themselves in Europe, despite not having been there for long. The surrounding Germanic tribes knew not to mess with them, much of which was due to the skill and tenacity of the Hunnic mounted archers, who many viewed as unbeatable.

As such, they had already carved out their place in society.

File:Avrupa Hun Haritası - Hunnic Empire.pngBilal Selim Filiz, Wikimedia Commons

7. They Used Them

Relations between the Huns and Rome were tense, to say the least, but remained profitable for both sides. Although the Huns’ conquest pushed many Germanic tribes into Roman territory and created problems, the Romans often paid them to fight in the empire’s conflicts, whether against their foreign enemies or domestic ones.

In this, the two sides weren’t totally on the same page.

File:450 roman-hunnic-empire 1764x1116.jpgThe original uploader was Wandalstouring at English Wikipedia. William R. Shepherd (1871 – 1934), Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

8. They Had Different Views

Both the Romans and Huns were proud peoples, and so while their agreement benefited both, they each viewed it differently. The Romans seemed to be under the impression that they were paying the Huns regularly for mercenary work, while the Huns asserted that these payments were tribute to them.

This kind of relationship led to several issues.

File:Huns by Rochegrosse 1910 (detail).jpgGeorges Rochegrosse, Wikimedia Commons

F

History's most fascinating stories and darkest secrets, delivered to your inbox daily.

Thank you!
Error, please try again.

9. He Negotiated With Them

Attila and Bleda assumed the rule of the Huns at a time of difficult negotiations, as they were searching for several Hunnic traitors who were hiding in Eastern Rome. Discussing the matter with the representatives of Eastern Roman Emperor Theodosius II, Attila and Bleda demanded that the Romans return the defectors.

This would settle in their favor.

File:Monarchs of Hungary, Attila, Gyula, Bela I, Illustration for Il costume antico e moderno by Giulio Ferrario 1831.jpgLuigi Giarre (died in 18?) and Vincenzo Stanghi (died on 1860), Wikimedia Commons

10. They Came To An Agreement

In 435, Attila and his brother again met with the Romans to discuss their business, leading to a treaty in which Rome agreed to return the traitors—but that wasn’t all. The Romans had been paying a “tribute” of 350 Roman pounds of gold, but this new agreement doubled the amount and charged them eight solidi in exchange for every Roman prisoner of the Huns.

Meanwhile, Attila had other ambitions.

File:Brogi, Carlo (1850-1925) - n. 8227 - Certosa di Pavia - Medaglione sullo zoccolo della facciata.jpgCarlo Brogi, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

11. They Left Them Alone

Whether the Romans would admit it or not, the Huns posed an insurmountable problem for them, which they were happy to get a break from in the following years. Having established a lucrative deal with the Romans, Attila and Bleda turned their gaze to the Sassanid Empire, against which they began an invasion.

This hiatus didn’t last forever, though.

File:Asia 400ad (cropped).jpgThomas A. Lessman, en:User:Talessman, Wikimedia Commons

12. They Came Back

The Huns may have had an unstoppable reputation in Europe, but they seemed to bite off more than they could chew with the Sassanid Empire. After experiencing a significant defeat in Armenia, the Huns gave up their invasion. They then returned to Europe in 440, marking their arrival with an attack on the market north of the Danube River.

As a result, others were able to capitalize on the chaos.

File:Danube Delta oct 2006 120.jpgPyretus, Wikimedia Commons

13. They Took Their Chance

Attila and Bleda didn’t stop with their attack on the market, and soon enough, the Huns had laid waste to many of the city-states that lined the Danube River. Taking advantage of Rome’s divided attentions, the Germanic people known as the Vandals overtook the Western Roman province of Africa, cutting the Empire off from its primary food source.

This only gave a greater advantage to the Huns.

File:Attila the Hun, Wax.jpgBassem, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

14. They Cleared The Way

In response to the Vandals’ capture of Africa, Rome relocated virtually all of their forces from the Balkans to Sicily for their counterattack. However, this left the region undefended and allowed the Huns to proceed unchecked through Illyricum and invade the Balkans in 441. By this point, the Romans were done negotiating.

File:Invasions of the Roman Empire.svgMapMaster, CC BY-SA 2.5, Wikimedia Commons

15. He Was Confident

Resolving finally to deal with the Huns’ presence, Emperor Theodosius categorically rejected each of Attila’s demands and prepared to fight him head-on. After withdrawing his forces from Sicily, he placed a large order of new coins as a fund for the coming conflict, never once doubting he would emerge victorious.

Naturally, Attila was all too eager to answer the Emperor’s challenge.

File:Icones imperatorvm romanorvm, ex priscis numismatibus ad viuum delineatae, and breui narratione historicâ (1645) (14560058799).jpgInternet Archive Book Images, Wikimedia Commons

16. He Retaliated

The following year, Attila and Bleda began their campaign against Rome, and the Huns were more advanced than Theodosius expected. With tactics never-before-seen from the Huns, Attila used rolling siege towers and battering rams to capture city after city, only being stopped by the double walls of Constantinople.

Suddenly, all the Emperor’s confidence faded away.

File:Eugene Ferdinand Victor Delacroix Attila fragment (cropped).jpgEugene Delacroix, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

17. He Gave Up

Losing far more than he gained, Emperor Theodosius backpedaled and decided to negotiate a peace with the Hunnic kings, sending his officer, Anatolius, to meet with them. The result was an agreement that tipped the scales much more in the Huns’ favor, raising the price of the tributes and ransoms, and demanding 6,000 Roman pounds of gold.

Following this, the Huns backed off.

File:Theodosius Minor Erfgoedcentrum Rozet 300 191 d 6 C 33.jpgUnknown author, Wikimedia Commons

18. They Withdrew

To Rome’s credit, they held up their end of the deal for a while, satisfying the Huns enough for them to recede from the Eastern Roman Empire back to the Great Hungarian Plain. Not long after, around 445, they experienced a power shift when Attila took sole control of the Huns as a result of Bleda’s passing.

Concerning Bleda’s demise, foul play is certainly plausible.

Vintage illustration of Attila the Hun; chromolithograph, 1923.GraphicaArtis, Getty Images

19. He Eliminated Him

While the exact details of Bleda’s passing are as foggy as the rest of Attila’s history, it’s widely accepted that it was all orchestrated by his brother. Some say this was during a direct challenge of combat by Attila to gain the throne, but others theorize that it was the result of a more secretive plot.

Either way, Attila’s thirst for conquest became renewed.

Attila (406 - 453) the Hunnish King called the 'Scourge Of God', circa 450 AD.Spencer Arnold Collection, Getty Images

Advertisement

20. He Couldn’t Be Stopped

By 447, Attila had decided to again march against Rome, no matter what agreement they had previously made. Re-entering the Eastern Empire, Attila and his forces briefly met resistance at the Battle of the Utus, where they overcame the army of the magister militum, Arnegisclus. Off the back of this victory, they surged through the Balkans.

Fortunately for the Romans, one city still stood.

File:MorThanFeastofAttila.jpgMor Than, Wikimedia Commons

21. They Were Rescued

At last, Attila made another attempt at conquering Constantinople, aided by recent earthquakes which weakened the double walls that had stopped him before. However, thanks to the efforts of Roman Prefect Constantinus, the walls were quickly built back up and reinforced. Additionally, the arrival of an Isaurian army led to the city’s salvation.

On the other side of the Empire, someone else was ready to deal.

Attila the Hun (died 453), leader of the Hunnic Empire, is offered a tribute at the walls of Byzantine. Attila was one of the most fearsome enemies of Roman Empire but refrained from attacking the cities of Constantinople and Rome. From Liebig series: Episodes historiques de l'Empire d'Orient, 1910, No 1. Culture Club, Getty Images

22. He Had A Friend

Attila had been battling the Eastern Roman Emperor all this time, but elsewhere, he had already established a good relationship with another ruler. Western Roman Emperor Valentinian III had no such hostility against Attila, especially after the Hunnic king agreed to ally with him against the kingdom of Toulouse.

Meanwhile, someone else sought Attila out.

File:Bust of Valentinian III, Louvre.jpgTony Querrec (photo), Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

23. She Asked For Help

Not everything was well in Valentinian’s house, especially since his sister, Honoria, was set to marry a Roman senator—despite her extreme reservations. Wanting to stop the marriage, Honoria secretly sent Attila a letter with her engagement ring, asking for help. Through this, she may not have meant to offer her hand to Attila, but that’s certainly the impression he got.

This didn’t stay a secret for long.

File:Justa Grata Honoria solidus (obverse).pngCNG, Wikimedia Commons

24. He Found Out

It wasn’t long before Emperor Valentinian discovered that Honoria had requested Attila’s help, and that Attila had agreed in exchange for half of the Western Empire as a wedding gift. Exiling his sister, the Emperor wrote to Attila and told him that Honoria’s alleged proposal was illegitimate, but Attila responded, saying he would come to take her himself.

Needless to say, he fell out of their good graces.

File:Valentiniano-iii.jpgMiguel Salgado Chinarro, Wikimedia Commons

25. They Targeted Him

Along with his and Valentinian’s friendship, Attila was an ally of the Western Emperor’s general, Flavius Aëtius. Now, all of that had changed, and as the Huns marched west, Aëtius prepared to receive them with as much strength as he could muster. His army soon became a mix of several cultural groups, and the newly allied army of the Visigoth king, Theodoric I.

This proved a worthy challenge for the Huns.

File:Flavius Aetius.jpgJulio Strozza, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

26. They Were Turned Around

With their full strength, Aëtius and his forces raced to meet the Hunnic army before Attila could do too much damage. The Huns, meanwhile, were making their way westward toward Orléans. The two armies finally met when Aëtius’ forces reached the city before Attila, successfully routing the Huns.

Still, Attila’s fight wasn’t done.

File:Attila mellszobor, Nyíradony.jpgRichard Juha, Wikimedia Commons

27. He Was Strategic

Rather than stop at turning back Attila’s forces, Aëtius was eager to beat the Hunnic king once and for all. The Huns tried to lose his army, but he once again overtook them, leaving Attila no choice but to fight Aëtius off. However, Attila knew the advantages of his cavalry and tipped the scales a bit by choosing to fight Aëtius on the plains.

Even so, Attila’s victory didn’t seem so assured.

Portrait of Attila the Hun (c.406-453 . Chromolithography. �� Stefano Bianchetti/CORBISStefano Bianchetti, Getty Images

28. He Lost

During the ensuing Battle of the Catalaunian Plains, Aëtius didn’t fully utilize his Visigothic forces for fear that they would achieve an overwhelming victory instead of the Romans. As a result, the outcome of the battle was messy, and King Theodoric perished. Still, Attila’s forces became scattered and ineffective, and had no alternative but to retreat.

He didn’t give up, though.

A manFactinate

Advertisement

29. He Tried Again

Attila wasn’t about to let go of the proposal from Honoria, so in 452, he returned to ensure his claim to marry her. Just like before, the Western Roman Empire felt the immense power of his army as he rode from city to city, destroying everything in his path. Notably, his sacking of the city of Aquileia was allegedly so destructive, it was left unrecognizable.

However, Aëtius was still too cunning.

A NoblewomanFactinate

30. They Wasted Away

Just as Attila’s tenacity kept his campaign going, Aëtius wouldn’t give up trying to stop him, even if his forces had since diminished. He threw everything he had at the Huns, striking at them with stealth and precision to weaken them slowly. Of course, the condition of Attila’s forces was already poor as they were likely suffering from starvation and sickness.

Finally, Attila agreed to negotiate.

Attila (406 - March 16, 453) Hun leader and king since 434 up until his death. Detail from chromos Liebig figurine, Italy 1905. Fototeca Storica Nazionale., Getty Images

31. They Met With Him

Now that the conflict had pushed both the Huns and the Romans to the brink, Emperor Valentinian knew they could achieve peace. He sent a party of three to meet with Attila, which included Pope Leo I. Through these negotiations, allegedly due mainly to the Pope’s efforts, Attila gave his word that he would leave Italy and discuss peace with Valentinian.

Many would regard this as divine intervention.

File:Leo the Great the Pope of Rome.jpgWlbw68, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

32. They Had Visitors

The events of Attila’s life have seen many artistic renderings since his reign, and this meeting between him and Pope Leo I is no different. Many viewed the successful negotiation as nothing short of a miracle, and one unknown medieval source even chose to symbolize the event as including both Saint Paul and Saint Peter in attendance.

Of course, Attila had other reasons for withdrawing.

File:The Soviet Union 1970 CPA 3957 stamp ('Saint Peter and Saint Paul' (El Greco)) cancelled.jpgPost of Soviet Union, Wikimedia Commons

33. He Had No Supplies

Attila may have fully intended to march upon the rest of Rome from his place in Italy, but by the time of the negotiations, it simply wasn’t in the cards. Due to a mixture of famine and Attila’s invasion itself, Italy’s food stores were running dangerously low, leaving the Huns with little supplies to launch such a campaign.

Not to mention, he had his own empire to worry about.

File:Attila il flagello di Dio (1954) Anthony Quinn 5.pngLux Film, Wikimedia Commons

34. His Home Was Unprotected

Attila had been focusing all his efforts on the Western Roman Empire, but it turned out the Eastern Empire hadn’t finished with him yet. Coincidentally, another Roman officer named Aetius had marched his forces into Hunnic territory and defeated those whom Attila left behind to stand guard. Naturally, Attila couldn’t be away from home any longer.

As such, the Eastern Empire popped back up on his radar.

File:AttilatheHunonhorsebackbyGeorgeSStuart.jpgGeorge S. Stuart, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

35. He Stopped Paying

Attila had retreated from Italy as he agreed to and returned to his palace, but others in Rome were ready to confront him again. There had been a power shift in the Eastern Roman Empire as Marcian replaced Theodosius as emperor, but he also resented Attila and refused to give him any tribute. As a result, Attila planned to attack Constantinople.

However, what’s an invasion without some festivities first?

File:Icones imperatorvm romanorvm, ex priscis numismatibus ad viuum delineatae, and breui narratione historicâ (1645) (14560242177).jpgInternet Archive Book Images, Wikimedia Commons

36. They Partied Hard

Although Attila had been hellbent on claiming Honoria’s hand in marriage, he also had other wives already, and would continue marrying more. So, in 453, he tied the knot with a woman named Ildico, and he spent the entire night feasting and drinking to commemorate his newest relationship.

Perhaps he celebrated a little too hard.

A man in foregroundFactinate

37. They Found Him

During the extravagant celebrations, Attila disappeared with his new bride to his room, but he never returned. In the morning, when he still hadn’t shown himself, his men went to check on him—only to find him lifeless on his bed. Ildico was also there, but was so upset that she could do little but cry hysterically.

Needless to say, they were all distraught.

A warriorFactinate

Advertisement

38. They Grieved

Whether Ildico was crying out of fear or sadness, she soon found that she was the only one doing so, even though Attila’s men were just as—if not more—upset. During that time, crying wasn’t seen as a proper way for a man to grieve, so his men pulled out their hair and cut their own faces to mourn him with their blood instead.

There are several theories as to what took Attila’s life.

File:Great King Attila murdered - 453.jpgEdvi Illes Odon (1877-1946), Wikimedia Commons

39. She Might Have Done It

Considering he had no shortage of enemies, many have theorized that someone plotted to end Attila’s life. Naturally, as his men found his new wife beside him, she became a prime suspect. Although historians don’t seem to take this seriously, one source—written several decades after Attila's death—stated that he “was pierced by the hand and blade of his wife”.

But historians believe the true cause of his death was something far more bizarre.

Germanic womanFactinate

40. It May Have Been An Accident

As the accounts of Attila’s demise are few and vague, historians haven’t decided on a concrete cause for it, but it might be a simple answer. We know that Attila suffered some form of severe bleeding, and some have posited the idea that after all his revels and excess, he may have passed out and developed a nosebleed. This would have caused him to choke until he perished. Other historians think the veins in his esophagus may have ruptured, after being weakened from years of excessive drinking. 

Regardless of how it really happened, news of Attila’s passing supposedly traveled fast.

BUDAPEST, HUNGARY: Gyoergy Kisfaludy, leader of the Hungarian Hun minority and hierarch of their community 'Church of Universum' sits beside a bust of Attila the Hun at their headquarters in Budapest, 23 March 2005. More than 1,500 years after Attila the Hun plundered much of Europe, people claiming to be his descendants are campaigning to be recognized as an official minority in the newly joined European Union member-state Hungary. AFP PHOTO ATTILA KISBENEDEKATTILA KISBENEDEK, Getty Images

Advertisement

41. He Had A Vision

Although Emperor Marcian was all too eager to fight Attila, the planning and worries of the coming conflict likely consumed his thoughts. However, he may have found relief in learning of Attila’s demise right away, as one source says it came to him in his sleep. According to the Greek historian, Priscus, Marcian dreamt of Attila’s broken bow and knew his enemy had fallen.

Sadly for the Huns, Attila’s empire wasn’t in the best hands.

File:Romanorvm imperatorvm effigies - elogijs ex diuersis scriptoribus per Thomam Treteru S. Mariae Transtyberim canonicum collectis (1583) (14581651908).jpgInternet Archive Book Images, Wikimedia Commons

42. They Fought Too Much

After a lengthy mourning period for Attila, his empire moved on without him as his sons—Ellac, Dengizich, and Ernakh—stepped up to the throne. Unfortunately, the three of them could never see eye to eye, and occupied most of their time fighting over who deserved to rule until the empire was split between them.

As for their father, his people needed to take care of his body.

Three menFactinate

43. They Honored Him

Attila’s people had great respect for him, especially since his passing, and they treated his burial with the same reverence. Binding his coffin in three metals, they chose gold and silver to symbolize how both the Huns and Rome honored him, and iron to show the strength with which he conquered so much.

These weren’t the only lengths they went to.

File:Attila Museum.JPGA.Berger, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

44. They Hid Him

Before they finally buried him, Attila’s men wanted to make sure his tomb was properly extravagant to reflect the majesty they saw in him. After laying valuable items with him, such as precious gems and the armaments of those he had bested, they allegedly diverted a river to bury him at the bottom, and then released it.

In the efforts of secrecy, they took one more grisly step.

People standing in a circleFactinate

45. They Made Sure No One Knew

Obviously, those who saw to Attila’s final affairs didn’t bury him themselves, and instead used a team of servants—who didn’t exactly receive a thank you. As they also buried a collection of treasures, Attila’s men wanted to ensure no one would try to steal any of it. So, to keep his final resting place a secret, they also took the lives of the men who buried him.

Despite these many lavish ornaments, Attila seemed like a simple guy.

A manFactinate

46. He Was Humble

From most accounts, especially toward the end of his life, Attila was rough, boisterous, and proud, but his demeanor allegedly didn’t match that of other rulers in his time. In the words of Priscus, Attila often displayed humility, such as in the “quite simple” manner of his clothes, which differed from the extravagant and gaudy style of those under him.

Still, he may have owned a particularly amazing weapon.

File:PriscusofPanium.jpgMirv~commonswiki, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

47. He Had A Legendary Sword

If his overwhelming army and relentless battle tactics weren’t enough, Attila had another way of striking fear into his enemies’ hearts. According to the Roman historian Jordanes, Attila claimed to have received a legendary holy sword from the god Mars, but this may have been an embellishment of one of Priscus’ accounts.

Whether true or not, Attila’s attitude certainly matched this claim.

File:Mars, from 'Game of Mythology' (Jeu de la Mythologie) MET DP831073.jpgStefano della Bella, Wikimedia Commons

48. He Enjoyed The Rumors

Not only did Attila permit the rumors and stories spread about him as he went from conquest to conquest, but he also encouraged the fear they created. He knew that this terror was one of his best tools, and his intense gaze became known for instilling dread, which he seemed to enjoy endlessly.

To this day, one big mystery remains.

UNSPECIFIED - JULY 27: Attila the Hun, asks Gudrun to become his wife, from the cycle The Ring of the Nibelung, by Wilhelm Ernst Ferdinand Franz Hauschild (1827-1887). Neuschwanstein Castle, Fussen, Germany.DEA / A. DAGLI ORTI, Getty Images

49. He Is Missing

All of these legends and historical events are only a fraction of the possible information on Attila and the Huns as a people, but it may be all we ever get. While some evidence of their lifestyle and cultural practices has surfaced, many details have since been lost. Specifically, the location of Attila’s final resting place is still a mystery.

Summing up his life, Attila had one important quote.

File:Attila Roi des Huns-Musée Oberlin.jpgJi-Elle, Wikimedia Commons

Advertisement

50. He Was Feared

If someone asked an ancient Roman what Attila was like, they might say he was a vicious and barbaric warlord who destroyed everything in his path. While there may be truth to some of that, the reality is that he was also ruthlessly cunning and knew how to use that fearsome reputation to fuel his campaigns. Playing into this monstrous character he cultivated, he once stated, “There, where I have passed, the grass will never grow again”.

WarriorFactinate

You May Also Like: 

The Truth About History’s Most Ruthless “Barbarians”

The Most Bloodthirsty Conqueror People Haven't Heard Of

The Celtic Warrior Queen Who Defied Rome

Sources:  1234567


More from Factinate

More from Factinate




Dear reader,


Want to tell us to write facts on a topic? We’re always looking for your input! Please reach out to us to let us know what you’re interested in reading. Your suggestions can be as general or specific as you like, from “Life” to “Compact Cars and Trucks” to “A Subspecies of Capybara Called Hydrochoerus Isthmius.” We’ll get our writers on it because we want to create articles on the topics you’re interested in. Please submit feedback to hello@factinate.com. Thanks for your time!


Do you question the accuracy of a fact you just read? At Factinate, we’re dedicated to getting things right. Our credibility is the turbo-charged engine of our success. We want our readers to trust us. Our editors are instructed to fact check thoroughly, including finding at least three references for each fact. However, despite our best efforts, we sometimes miss the mark. When we do, we depend on our loyal, helpful readers to point out how we can do better. Please let us know if a fact we’ve published is inaccurate (or even if you just suspect it’s inaccurate) by reaching out to us at hello@factinate.com. Thanks for your help!


Warmest regards,



The Factinate team




Want to learn something new every day?

Join thousands of others and start your morning with our Fact Of The Day newsletter.

Thank you!

Error, please try again.