ATTILLA THE HUN ( 406 - 453 A.D )

Known as 'the scourge of God' , in 433 Attilla became King of the barbarian people who had swarmed out of Asia and occupied the flat Danube grasslands now known as Hungary.

For some years Attilla concerned himself with imposing his rule on neighbouring barbarian tribes and for 20 years ruled all central Europe, from the Rhine to the Caucasus, he proclaimed himself 'King of the Barbarians from Germany to China'. The Byzantine emperor in Constantinople paid him tribute, but not enough to Attilla's liking, so he stormed through the Balkans , although he did not dare attack the massive walls of Constantinople itself. Then he turned West, across Germany and into France raiding towns and villages and leaving a trail of fire and destruction as he went.

In 451 Attilla and his Huns reached the river Loire in Central France and laid seige to Orleans. An obstinate defence gave time for a mixed army of Roman ansd Visigoth soldiers to assemble. A great battle was fought near Troyes ; it is usually though inaccurately called the Battle of Chalons, and is regarded as one of the decisive battles in World history. After frightful slaughter on both sides, Attilla was forced to retreat headlong to the Rhine and back to Hungary.

In 452 Attilla set out again, this time raiding into Italy. Burning the towns at the head of the Adriatic Sea he was persuaded by Pope Leo I not to attack Rome. Short of food and decimated by plague, his horde retired across the Alps. In 453 Attilla died suddenly on his wedding night.