In the early 5th century AD, the Western Roman Empire was already in decline, weakened by internal strife, economic decay, and repeated barbarian invasions. Among the most feared enemies of Rome was Attila the Hun, a warrior king who led the Huns in a series of brutal campaigns across Europe. Known as the “Scourge of God,” Attila’s reputation as an unstoppable conqueror spread terror throughout the Roman world. His army, a formidable force of highly mobile horse archers and fierce warriors, ravaged lands from the Eastern Roman Empire to Gaul and northern Italy.
Attila’s campaigns began with devastating incursions into the Eastern Roman Empire, forcing the Byzantines to pay tribute to keep him at bay. By 450 AD, his ambitions turned westward, and in 451, he launched an invasion of Gaul (modern-day France). His goal was to subjugate the Western Roman Empire, but he would soon face his greatest challenge in the form of one of Rome’s last great generals—Flavius Aetius.
Flavius Aetius: The Last Great Roman General
Flavius Aetius was a Roman general of exceptional skill and political acumen. Having spent part of his youth among the Huns as a hostage, Aetius understood their tactics and had even used Hun mercenaries in previous Roman conflicts. By the time Attila invaded Gaul, Aetius had solidified his position as the empire’s most capable defender.
Recognising the magnitude of Attila’s threat, Aetius undertook the difficult task of assembling a coalition of Roman forces, Visigoths, Alans, and other Germanic allies to repel the invasion. This was no small feat, as many of these groups had previously been Rome’s enemies. However, the sheer terror inspired by Attila convinced them to unite under Aetius’s leadership.
The Battle of the Catalaunian Plains (451 AD
The decisive clash between Attila and Aetius occurred at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains (also called the Battle of Châlons) in 451 AD. This battle would be one of the last great victories of the Western Roman Empire.
Aetius, alongside Theodoric I, king of the Visigoths, positioned his forces strategically, forcing Attila’s Huns into a disadvantageous engagement. The battle was brutal, with thousands slain on both sides. Theodoric was killed in the fighting, but the Roman-Visigothic alliance ultimately repelled the Huns, forcing Attila to retreat. This marked one of the only significant defeats Attila ever suffered, preventing him from conquering Gaul.
Attila’s Invasion of Italy (452 AD) and the Defence of Rome
Despite his defeat in Gaul, Attila was not finished. In 452 AD, he turned his attention southward and invaded Italy. His forces laid waste to cities in the north, including Aquileia. Now, unlike many other peoples who conquered Roman cities, he did not take the city as his own nor sack it for his riches. It was once one of the largest cities in antiquity (over 100,000 people in the 2nd century). Atilla ordered his Huns to annihilate the city, burning it to the ground and killing many of its inhabitants. As an aside, some did manage to flee towards the lagoons off the coast of the city where they hid from the Huns. These survivors went on to found the city of Venice (which ironically would help the downfall of Rome a few centuries later). Regardless, Aquileia was razed, and Panic spread throughout Rome as Attila advanced towards the city.
Once again, it was Aetius who prepared for the defence of Rome. Called upon once more, he decided to organise the remaining populace into a defence of Rome. That said, this was not the Rome left by Augustus; the population had dwindled significantly from an estimated 800,000 before the 410 sack down to a rough 100,00-500,000. Now, whilst this may seem like a large number, considering there were thousands of enslaved people and plebs (Rome’s poor), there were few in the city capable of a defence. Regardless of population, the empire was nearly bankrupt by this time, and Aetius struggled to gather an army capable of resisting Attila. Rome’s defences were weak, and starvation and disease had already begun to afflict the city’s population. Facing these dire circumstances, the Romans turned to diplomacy as a last resort.
The Papal Intervention: Leo I and the Meeting with Attila
According to tradition, as Attila neared Rome, Pope Leo I, accompanied by Roman envoys, rode out to meet him. The exact details of their meeting remain a mystery, but remarkably, after their encounter, Attila chose to withdraw his forces without attacking the city. Some sources suggest that Leo I persuaded Attila through diplomacy and bribery, while others claim Attila was warned of a possible divine retribution if he sacked Rome. Another possibility is that disease and supply shortages forced Attila to retreat.
Regardless of the reason, Attila’s withdrawal spared Rome from destruction, a rare moment of triumph for the embattled empire. However, Aetius’ role in organising Rome’s defence and preparing for a final resistance should not be overlooked. His leadership ensured that, even in the face of overwhelming odds, Rome stood defiant.
The Aftermath: The Fall of Two Titans
A year after Attila’s failed invasion of Italy, he died unexpectedly in 453 AD, reportedly from a sudden haemorrhage on his wedding night. Without his leadership, the Hunnic Empire quickly fragmented and collapsed, ceasing to be a significant threat to Rome.
Tragically, Flavius Aetius did not live to see Rome’s survival for much longer. In 454 AD, he was assassinated by Emperor Valentinian III, who saw him as a political rival. This reckless act deprived Rome of its last great general, and within two decades, the Western Roman Empire itself would fall in 476 AD.
Conclusion: The Last Stand of Rome’s Glory
The confrontation between Attila the Hun and Flavius Aetius marked one of the final heroic moments in the history of the Western Roman Empire. Though the empire was already in decline, Aetius’s leadership and military skill bought Rome precious time and prevented it from falling to Attila’s unstoppable hordes. The victory at the Catalaunian Plains and the defence of Rome in 452 AD remain defining moments of resilience in the face of an overwhelming enemy.
While Rome would not endure much longer in the West, Aetius’s actions ensured that its legacy lived on. His triumph against Attila was not just a military victory but a testament to the enduring strength of Roman civilisation in its final days.
