Catalaunian Plains June 20, 451 Strategic Context After four years of peace, Attila leads his Huns against the Western Roman Empire, sacking Trier and Metz. The most skilled Roman general, Flavius Aetius, miraculously convinces King Theodoric to lead the Visigoths, settlers within the empire, to repel the Hun invasion. Attila besieges Orléans, which is garrisoned by Rome’s Alan allies, possibly expecting Sangibanus to open the gates, until the combined Roman-Visigoth army forces Attila to lift the siege. The Hunnic army retreats but is slowed by the immense plunder it brings. Tiring and running low on supplies, Attila turns to face his pursuers, striking out from the protection of a wagon lager. By Jonathan Webb, 2010 Stakes + A Roman victory would oust the Huns from the Western Empire’s borders and dissuade future invasions. + A Hunnic victory would allow Attila to plunder Western Europe unhindered. To view animation on PC: hit F5 To view animation on Mac: hit ⌘ + enter

Catalaunian Plains, 451 Strength  Romans & Visigoths  Well  Huns & Ostrogoths  Well  Flavius Aetius  30,000  Attila the Hun By Jonathan Webb, 2010

Europe c. 450

Romans & Visigoths (Aetius) The battlefield consists of a large open plain, rising on one side to a small hill, and enclosed on another side by a river. As there are few features if any, the only key terrain is the small hill, which dominates that side of the battlefield. Huns & Ostrogoths (Attila)

In a preliminary skirmish, Theodoric’s son, Thorismund, wins control of the only hill on the plains to the left of the Hunnic line. Aetius deploys the Visigoths under Theodoric on the right, his own Roman troops on the left, and the less reliable Alans under Sangibanus wedged between the two. Attila deploys the Ostrogoths under Walamir on the left, the Gepids under Aldaric on the right, and his own Hunnic troops in the center. He plans to smash the enemy center with a lightning strike and avoid the stronger wings. Attila leads his center forward in a sudden charge against the Alans, who hastily fall back. The Ostrogoths on his left engage the Visigoths while the Gepids on his right advance but do not engage the Romans. The battle grows increasingly more confused and chaotic as the Huns inconclusively push the Alans back before swinging left to outflank the Visigoths. The Visigoths engage the Ostrogoths in vicious combat, resulting in the death of Theodoric. Far from being demoralized, the Visigoths counterattack just as Thorismund leads his cavalry off the hill to smash the Ostrogoth left flank. Meanwhile, the Gepids observe Aetius, who is still content to remain idle and preserve the only Roman force in the region. Alans (Sangibanus) Visigoths (Thorismund) Visigoths (Theorodic) Romans (Aetius) Ostrogoths (Walamir) Gepids (Ardaric) Huns (Attila) Alans (Sangibanus) The Huns’ momentum carries them so far forward that their flanks become increasingly vulnerable, especially when the Ostrogoths begin to fall back in the face of the Visigoth attack. Aetius marches part of his force right to hit the Hunnic rear flank, forcing Attila to immediately retreat to his wagon lager. The Gepids, yet to engage in battle, also retreat as Aetius surrounds the wagon lager. Attila Huns & Ostrogoths (Attila) Visigoths (Thorismund) Romans (Aetius) Alans (Sangibanus) Thorismund anxiously demands permission to attack the Hunnic camp but Aetius refuses, eager to preserve the balance of power between the Visigoths and Huns. Aetius convinces Thorismund to return to his kingdom to consolidate his reign against his jealous brothers, to which Thorismund concedes and withdraws. Attila quietly withdraws in tacit understanding with Aetius, who also returns to his kingdom. Huns & Ostrogoths (Attila the Hun) 30,000 Romans & Visigoths (Flavius Aetius) 30,000 Symbol guide Romans & VisigothsHuns & OstrogothsInfantryCavalry Wagons Romans & Visigoths (Aetius)

Catalaunian Plains, 451 Casualties & Aftermath Romans & VisigothsHuns & Ostrogoths 10,000 or 33% 10,000 or 33% By Jonathan Webb, 2010 Attila withdrew from Gaul, never to threaten the region again. Instead, he invaded Italy the next year with little success. Attila’s army was wrecked with disease and could not obtain enough supplies from a region rife with famine. An Eastern Roman Empire army crossed the Danube River into Hunnic territory, contributing to Attila’s decision to hastily accept money and reason from Pope Leo I, and withdraw to Hungary before winter set in. Attila mysteriously died on his wedding night in 453, leaving his empire divided. War among his three sons broke out within a year, weakening the empire and resulting in the decisive defeat of the Huns at the Battle of Nedao in 454 by their former German and Gepid allies.

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps By Jonathan Webb, 2010