The Treaty of Margus (435)

In 434 the Hun ruler Rugila died and power passed to his nephews Bleda and Attila. To set relations with the Eastern Roman Empire on new terms, the brothers met Roman envoys near the Danube city of Margus (modern Požarevac in Serbia). Rome was represented by the consul Flavius Plintha. Priscus writes that the Huns negotiated without dismounting, so the Roman envoys, to keep their dignity, also had to talk on horseback.

Under the treaty Rome raised the yearly tribute to the Huns from 350 to 700 pounds of gold. Rome promised to hand back fugitives from Hun lands, not to ally with enemies of the Huns, and to open markets on the Danube frontier where Hun traders had equal rights.

The treaty held for a few years. In 440 the Huns declared that Rome had broken its terms and attacked the forts along the Danube. One of their complaints was that the bishop of Margus had plundered the graves of Hun rulers.