Attila S Army example essay topic

317 words
Attila the Hun Attila, born in 406, also called the Scourge of God, was the leader of the Huns from 433-453. During this time, he conquered lands from the Black Sea to the Rhine River. Not much is known about Attila+s early life beyond the fact that he was a member of the ruling family of the Huns (a nomadic Asian clan). Attila and his brother Bleda took over leadership of the Huns from their uncle Road in 433. In 434, Attila and his brother negotiated a treaty with the Byzantine emperor Theodosius II and obtained an immense annual tribute of about seven hundred pounds of gold. After six years of peace, the Huns invaded the Empire, destroyed several important cities and defeated several powerful armies.

After another treaty and payment of more tribute, peace was made. In 455, Attila put Bleda to death and launched another attack on the empire. In 447 he advanced through Illyria and destroyed the entire region between the Black and Mediterranean seas. Those of the conquered who were not killed were forced to join Attila+s army. By 450, Attila+s interests turned toward the West.

In alliance with Gaiseric, king of the Vandals, Attila invaded Gaul. Later that same year Attila+s forces were met at the Battle of Chalons by a coalition of imperial forces led by the Roman general Flavius Aet ius and defeated; according to all accounts it was one of the most terrible battles of ancient history. Historians of the period estimated the losses of Attila+s army at about 250,000 soldiers. In 452, partially recovered from the defeat, Attila turned his attention to Italy where he destroyed Aquileia, Milan, Padua, and other cities but was finally turned back by an epidemic. Attila died in 453 of a heart attack at the age of forty-seven.