* He ruled over a vast empire. Attila's empire stretched from the Ural Mountains to the Danube River, and from the Baltic Sea to the Caspian Sea. This made him one of the most powerful rulers in the world.
* He was a pagan. Attila was a pagan at a time when most of Europe was Christian. This made him a target for persecution by the Christian church, which contributed to his fearsome reputation.
* He was known for his brutality. Attila was known for his brutality, which he often used to intimidate his enemies. He would often massacre entire cities and towns, and he would sometimes even torture his captives to death.
* He had a reputation for being unstoppable. Attila had a reputation for being unstoppable, and this reputation spread throughout Europe. This made him even more fearsome, as people believed that there was nothing that could stop him.