Attila

Attila (about 406-453 AD), Attila was ruler of the Huns, a tribe of horsemen from Central Asia.

From the 4th century onwards this tribe captured parts of the Roman Empire in the east of Europe.

Other tribes joined their armies and, in 447, Attila led these hordes westwards. They marched as far as Gaul (France), conquering and looting, but there they were defeated in 451 by the Romans and the Visigoths in a great battle at Chalons-sur-Marne.

Attila turned back and invaded present-day Italy. He reached Rome and prepared to destroy the city but Pope Leo I asked him to spare Rome and he withdrew.

Two years later he died on his wedding day. In Attila's time, the religion of the Roman Empire was Christianity and Christians called the pagan Attila the 'Scourge of God'. See R. N. WEBB Masters of Infamy Attila, King of the Huns (Watts 1965)