Ardaric was the most renowned king of the Gepids. According to Jordanes, he was one of the most trusted adherents of Attila the Hun, who "prized him above all the other chieftains". Although he was "famed for his loyalty and wisdom", Ardaric led the rebellion against Attila's sons and routed them in the Battle of Nedao, thus ending the Huns's supremacy in Europe. The Gepids (Latin Gepidae) were a Germanic tribe most famous in history for defeating the Huns after the death of Attila. ... For other uses, see Attila (disambiguation). ... The Battle of Nedao, the Nedava, a tributary of the Sava, was a battle fought in Pannonia in 454. ... The Huns were a confederation of Eurasian tribes of mostly Central Asian origin, who appeared in Europe in the 4th century. ...

Jordanes' account of Ardaric's revolt

When Ardaric, king of the Gepidae, learned this [about the strife between Attila's sons], he became enraged because so many nations were being treated like slaves of the basest condition, and was the first to rise against the sons of Attila. Good fortune attended him, and he effaced the disgrace of servitude that rested upon him. For by his revolt he freed not only his own tribe, but all the others who were equally oppressed; since all readily strive for that which is sought for the general advantage. They took up arms against the destruction that menaced all and joined battle with the Huns in Pannonia, near a river called Nedao... The cause of Ardaric, king of the Gepidae, was fortunate for the various nations who were unwillingly subject to the rule of the Huns, for it raised their long downcast spirits to the glad hope of freedom... Finally, after many bitter conflicts, victory fell unexpectedly to the Gepidae. For the sword and conspiracy of Ardaric destroyed almost thirty thousand men, Huns as well as those of the other nations who brought them aid.