Battle of the Catalaunian Plains
Catalaunian Plains, northeastern France (exact site unknown)
What happened
The Roman general Flavius Aetius and the Visigothic king Theodoric I led an alliance against Attila, king of the Huns, and his vassals. In 451 CE Attila's army crossed the Rhine into Roman Gaul and reached Orléans. Aetius and Theodoric marched to the city, arriving on 14 June, and Attila broke off his attack. The two armies met somewhere on the Catalaunian Plains around 20 June. Night fell before the fighting ended, and the armies were separated in the darkness. Theodoric was lost in the battle.
Why it matters
Result: Inconclusive (See Outcome ). Leaders: Flavius Aetius / Theodoric against Attila / Valamir. Why it matters: It was one of the last major military operations of the Western Roman Empire. Its strategic significance is disputed, and the result is usually described as inconclusive. Historians generally agree that the siege of Orléans was the decisive moment, because it stopped the Huns from advancing any further into Roman territory.
What came next
Theodoric's son Thorismund was quickly elected as his successor. Attila died in 453, and the alliance of the Huns and their vassals gradually fell apart after the Battle of Nedao in 454.
Did you know?
A chronicle by Hydatius dates the battle to June by placing it between the appearance and disappearance of Halley's Comet.
Timeline
- 451 CEAttila's army crosses the Rhine into Gaul.
- 14 June 451 CEAetius and his allies reach Orléans, and Attila ends his assault on the city.
- c. 20 June 451 CEThe armies meet on the Catalaunian Plains.
- 453 CEAttila dies.
- 454 CEAfter the Battle of Nedao, the Hunnic alliance gradually falls apart.