The Hephthalites, sometimes called the White Huns, were a nomadic confederation that dominated much of Central Asia from the fifth century. Their origins and language are debated by historians, but they built up power in Bactria, now northern Afghanistan, and from there pushed into Persia and northwestern India. In 484 they defeated and killed the Sasanian king Peroz I, forcing Persia to pay tribute for a time. Their invasions of India, under rulers such as Toramana and Mihirakula, damaged the Gupta Empire. Their power was broken in the sixth century by a coalition of the Sasanians and the Turkic Khaganate, though small Hephthalite principalities survived in the region for some time.
Before and after
- 5th centuryConstruction of Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore
- 5th centuryConstruction of San Pietro in Vincoli
- July 403 CESynod of the Oak
- 31 December 406 CEThe Vandals, Alans and Suebi cross the Rhine
- from 408 CE to 670 CEHephthalites
- 24 August 410 CEAlaric and the Visigoths sack Rome
- from 420 CE to 589 CENorthern and Southern dynasties
- 25 March 421 CEFounding of Venice
- from 429 CE to 442 CEVandal conquest of Roman Africa
More in Civilizations & archaeology
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- c. 700s BCEConstruction of Great Wall of China
- from 206 BCE to 220 CEHan dynasty
- 200 BCEOrigins of Nazca Lines
- 19 BCEConstruction of Western Wall
- from 375 CE to 568 CEMigration Period
The era
This moment belongs to the Ancient civilizations (3,200 BCE to 500 CE), writing, cities and empires. You can also browse everything in the 5th century.