Attila the Hun is known as a destroyer rather than a builder of civilizations. The Hun nation, although it spanned the greater part of eastern Europe in its day, was relatively disorganized and uncultured, even compared to its German neighbors. The Germanic tribes varied in their relationship with the Roman Empire, but many, such as the Visigoths, were relatively civilized. The Huns were a long standing enemy and threat to the German tribes, and in many cases Germanic incursions into Roman territory during previous generations had been inspired by the desire to flee from the Huns to areas of greater safety and civilization. By the mid fifth century, much of Gaul had been settled by German tribes, and although they were independent from the emperor in Rome, they had assimilated much of Latin culture and, in some cases, become Christians. They were no longer "barbarian" in the same sense that the Huns were.
The commander of the western forces at this time was Aetius. He made an alliance with the Visigoth kingdom in Gaul to oppose Attila, and the great battle was fought at Chalons. It was the largest battle in the western empire in over a century, with about 30,000 combatants on each side. At the end of the day, however, Attila was driven back. The next year, however, he descended into Italy and threatened Rome. An embassy including Pope Leo I, went out to meet him before he approached the city, and was somehow able to convince him to withdraw his forces. The reason he actually withdrew, however, is not known precisely, but is a subject of great speculation among historians. He eventually returned to his palace on the Danube, and died shortly thereafter.
Elevated to co-ruler of the Huns, along with his brother. Negotiated tribute from Theodosius II. | |
Invaded Balkans, eastern emperor increased his tribute. | |
Murdered his brother; became sole king of the Huns. | |
Attacked the empire again in hopes of increasing his tribute. | |
Emperors in east and west unite and refuse to pay more tribute to the Huns. | |
Honoria, sister of the western emperor attempts an alliance with Huns. Attila demands a great dowry. | |
Invades Gaul, but was repelled by Aetius at the battle of Chalons. | |
Invades Italy, but turned away from Rome after meeting with Pope Leo I. | |
Dies suddenly while celebrating marriage festival. |
King and His Hawk in | Fifty Famous Stories Retold by James Baldwin |
Three Deadly Blows in | Helmet and Spear by Alfred J. Church |
The Scourge of God in | Old Time Tales by Lawton B. Evans |
Sieges of Rome in | The Story of the Romans by H. A. Guerber |
Attila the Hun in | Famous Men of the Middle Ages by John H. Haaren |
Fall of the Western Empire in | The Story of the Middle Ages by Samuel B. Harding |
Attila in | Back Matter by books/horne/soldiers/_back.html |
Attila the Scourge of God in | Barbarian and Noble by Marion Florence Lansing |
King Attila in | The Story of France by Mary Macgregor |
Barbarians Invade the Roman Empire in | The Story of Europe by Henrietta Elizabeth Marshall |
Huns at Orleans in | Historical Tales: French by Charles Morris |
Attila the Hun is Defeated at Chalons in | European Hero Stories by Eva March Tappan |
Image Links | ||
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The Meeting of Attilla and Pope Leo in Stories from German History |
Attila and Leo in Helmet and Spear |
A Hunnic Invasion in Famous Men of the Middle Ages |
Attila and his terrible Huns in Famous Men of the Middle Ages |
St. Leo halting Attila at the gates of Rome in Famous Men of the Middle Ages |
Court of the Huns in The Story of the Middle Ages |
Attila's Huns Plundering a Roman Villa in Gaul in Greatest Nations - Germany |
Attila the Hun in Back Matter |
Attila, The Scourge of God in Back Matter |
Attila the Hun in Barbarian and Noble |
Attila's Banquet in Barbarian and Noble |
Attila's Banquet in Barbarian and Noble |
Attila before the Pope in Barbarian and Noble |
Leo Interceding With Attila at the Gates of Rome. in European Hero Stories |
Theodosius II | Eastern Emperor who paid tribute to the Huns. |
Marcian | Eastern Emperor who refused to pay tribute to the Huns. |
Valentinian | Western Emperor who refused to pay tribute to the Huns. |
Honoria | Sister of Valentinian who negotiated with the Huns and undermined the emperor's position. |
Leo I | Pope who convinced Attila to turn away from Rome without attacking. |
Aetius | Last great General of the Western Empire. Defeated Attila the Hun at Chalons. |
Leader of Vandals. Conquered Northern Africa and Sicily. Invaded and ransacked Rome. |