Catalaunian Plains June 20 451 Strategic Context After

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. To view animation on PC: hit F 5 To view animation on Mac: hit ⌘ + enter 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. By Jonathan Webb, 2010

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

Europe c. 450

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. Romans & Visigoths (Aetius) Huns & Ostrogoths (Attila)

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

Catalaunian Plains, 451 Casualties & Aftermath Romans & Visigoths Huns & Ostrogoths 10, 000 or or 33% 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. By Jonathan Webb, 2010

The Art of Battle: Animated Battle Maps http: //www. theartofbattle. com By Jonathan Webb, 2010