Their empire, however, speedily broke up after the death of their king Attila in 453.
But it is nearly certain that long before Attila and his Huns swept down upon the Venetian plain the little islands of the lagoon already had a population of poor but hardy fisherfolk living in quasi-independence, thanks to their poverty and their inaccessible site.
There was for the future one Venice and one Venetian people dwelling at Rialto, the city of compromise between the dangers from the mainland, exemplified by Attila and Alboin, and the perils from the sea, illustrated by Pippin's attack.
The elder journeyed into Pannonia to obtain support from Attila; the younger betook himself to the imperial court at Rome.
He takes refuge in Hungary with Etzel (Attila), by whose aid he finally recovers his kingdom.