David Mallott on Attila

“The slaughter of the Burgundians by Attila reinforces in my mind this view that he's working for money. There's no greater goal. It's destruction for destruction's sake, out of pure spite and hatred.”

“The method that Attila uses to kill his enemies demonstrates a particularly brutal and sadistic cruelty.”

“His violence, his conquering doesn't seem directed to any specific end. He wants to go out and destroy almost for destruction's sake itself. He's a cruel, remorseless killer. Attila is at the top of a scale of psychopathic behavior... Compared to the other ancient tyrants, Attila is very low on a scale of creativity. He doesn't solve problems, he doesn't build anything, he doesn't leave anything behind. When in doubt, kill... Attila reminds me of a drug lord, a Pablo Escobar; they're interested only in naked power, money. They create nothing, they build nothing. If anyone gets in your way, kill them.”