The battle on the Catalaunian fields took place at the beginning of the era of the Great Nations Migration, after June 20, 451, between the army of the leader of the Huns, the conqueror Attila and the Roman army. The composition of both armies included representatives of many tribes, for which the battle was named "Battle of the Nations". In the battle, neither side was able to achieve an unconditional advantage, but Attila was forced to withdraw his army.
The Romans won many brilliant victories, but they suffered many crushing defeats.
In the IV-V centuries. n. e. the barbarian tribes that surrounded the empire and lived on its territory had already quite noticeably begun to influence the country's politics. The Great Migration of Peoples began, many tribes reached a higher level of development, were looking for a new living space, crowded out others and were themselves pressed by new semi-state formations. The Roman Empire was in decay.
Already in the IV century, the empire, in fact, disintegrated into Western and Eastern, the Roman state structure was dying, economic and social ties collapsed. Fighting the barbarians became more and more difficult. In the 70s. IV century on the border of the empire, new dangerous neighbors appeared - the Huns.
These nomads came to Europe from Central Asia. In the first half of the 2nd century A. D. e. the migration of the Hunnic tribes to East Kazakhstan and Semirechye began, and then, together with the Ugric tribes of Western Siberia, to the Urals, to the Caspian and Trans-Volga steppes.
The strongest part of the Hunnic army was, of course, the cavalry. Almost from birth the Huns were accustomed to horse riding; as late antique authors note, they sat in their saddles as if nailed down. As a rule, the Hunnic horseman had 2-3 war horses in reserve, which he changed as necessary.
As the chroniclers of that era noted, the Huns were the fiercest warriors; from a distance they threw spears, and hand-to-hand hacked with swords and, themselves dodging the blows of daggers, threw tightly coiled arcana at the enemies. An exclusive place in the armament of the Huns was occupied by a bow with arrows, in the use of which they achieved great skill. Bows of a special asymmetric shape, made of elastic wood, to which were attached plates of horns, tendons, bone linings, could hit a target at a distance of 100 m, while the enemy's arrows retained their strength at most at a distance of 50-60 m.
In the middle of the 4th century, the Huns invaded the area between the Volga and Don. They conquered the Alans in the North Caucasus, defeated the Bosporus kingdom, then crossed the Don, crushed the multi-tribal state of the Ostrogothic king Germanarich in South-Eastern Europe (375). Many historians consider this year to be the year of the beginning of the Great Nations Migration.
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376 - the Visigoth Germans, pressed by the Huns, crossed the Danube and, with the permission of Rome, settled within the Roman province of Moesia. Since that time, the Huns have repeatedly attacked the Balkan provinces of the Eastern Roman Empire. In the years 395–397. The Huns invaded Syria, Cappadocia and Mesopotamia, in 408 - in Thrace, in 415 - in Illyria, by 420 they settled in Pannonia (the former Roman province, which occupied part of the territory of modern Hungary).
The relations of the Huns with the Western Roman Empire for a long time were built on a completely civilized basis for those times. So, the Hunnic mercenary detachments made up some part of the Roman army, especially from the 20s. The empire used them, in particular, to fight the continually rebellious Franks and Burgundians who settled on the Rhine, as well as the Bagauds, peasants of northwestern Gaul, who were trying to secede from the Roman Empire.
In the 40s. the situation, however, began to change. The ruler of the Huns Attila, a recognized commander by that time, began to pursue an independent policy in relation to both Roman empires.
With the death of King Rutila (Rua) in 434, the Huns were led by his two nephews, Attila and Bled. After the death of his brother in 444, Attila became the sole ruler of the state. The new ruler of the Huns was not at all such a cruel and savage Asian monster, the "Scourge of God", as Christian historians and some modern textbooks liked to portray him over time. He grew up in the era of Hunnic European greatness, had a lush courtyard, studied with the Greeks and Romans (he spent 5 years in Italy as a teenager for this purpose).
Moreover, he was an energetic and intelligent ruler. Attila also had military leadership skills. According to legend, once a shepherd found and brought Attila a rusty sword, Attila took it in his hands saying: "For a long time this sword was hidden in the earth, and now Heaven will give it to me to conquer all peoples!"
In 435-436. the Huns, under the leadership of Attila, annexed the Roman-dominated Burgundian kingdom between Main and Rhine. This event later formed the basis of the plot of the "Song of the Nibelungs". Some researchers claim that Attila was the carrier of the so-called. the Eurasian idea, he wanted to unite the numerous peoples of Europe and Asia within one state family. Such a country would surpass the glory of Rome. But, most likely, Attila was the bearer of a much simpler idea - the idea of his own greatness and the greatest possible power. In this he differed little from Alexander the Great or Octavian Augustus.
Both Roman empires - Western and Eastern - sought an alliance with the omnipotent ruler of the Huns. They competed among themselves in an effort to gain the favor of a proud ruler. In the 40s – 50s of the 5th century, Attila acquired such great fame as a mighty ruler that kings and leaders of other "barbarian" peoples began to turn to him for help.
In Rome, there was also a man who had great influence on neighboring peoples, became famous as a commander and claimed pan-European recognition. His name was Aetius. It is interesting that Aetius spent a lot of time in the Hunnic capital. Even at the age of 15, he was a member of the retinue of young Attila (Aetius was six years older than Attila), then asked the Huns for support in the Roman political struggle, he himself commanded the Hunnic troops and, accordingly, was well acquainted with their method of waging war. Aetius repeatedly used the services of Attila, almost all their lives they were friends.
But in the 40s. a conflict broke out between Rome and the Huns. Attila was too active in strengthening his power and expanding territory. The dying empire tried to keep its own. Aetius and Attila found themselves on opposite sides of the barricades. Moreover, they led the warring camps.
In the course of the conquests, the Huns attached detachments to their army, consisting of representatives of the conquered peoples. In turn, Rome, acting energetically, sent embassies to its federates and subjects in the territory, including Gaul and Spain, with the demand to fight together against the Huns.
The struggle against the Huns united the Roman Empire and the Visigothic Kingdom, which managed to draw with them other unions of Celtic and individual Germanic tribes. In the end, Armorics, Breons, Burgundians, Saxons, Alans, Franks came out against the Huns.
Having crossed the Rhine, the army of 56-year-old Attila went to Trier and then in two columns to the north-east of Gaul. By that time, his army numbered, in all likelihood, about 120,000 people (although some of the chroniclers call much larger numbers, for example, half a million). Aetius, who went against Attila, had about the same. But at first, the Huns walked unhindered through Gaul.
451, April - Metz fell after a two-day siege. Tongeren and Reims were on fire. Paris was also in great panic. It is said that the city was saved by a woman named Genevieve, who convinced the population not to leave the city and thereby aroused the respect and indulgence of Attila.
The Huns approached Orleans and began its siege, which, however, was soon stopped and began to look for a convenient place for a battle with the approaching Roman (or rather, national team) army.
The site of the general battle was the Catalaunian fields in Champagne. The fields were a vast plain between Troyes and the modern city of Chalon-sur-Marne. The plain was more than 100 km in diameter. The Battle of the Catalaunian Fields is one of the largest battles in European history.
Before the battle began, Attila allegedly ordered the fortunetellers to inquire about the future. "They, peering, according to their custom, now in the insides of animals, now in some veins on the scraped bones, announced that the Huns were in danger." A small consolation in this prediction was only that the supreme leader of the opposing side was to fall and with his death darken the triumph of his victory. Attila, disturbed by such a prediction, believed that at least at the cost of his life, he should strive to kill Aetius, who was blocking his path.
The Battle of the Catalaunian Fields began in the 20th of June 451. The alignment of forces of opponents is known. Among the Romans, Theodoric, the Visigothic king, commanded the left wing; Aetius - on the right, in the middle there were Alans, Burgundians and other allies. On the opposite side, in the center, Attila himself took positions with the Huns, who formed the core of the entire army, on his left flank were the Goths, led by the leader Valamir, on the right wing - King Ardarik with the Gepids and other peoples.
So, in both armies there were many representatives of the most diverse European peoples. In this regard, the battle on the Catalaunian fields is called the "Battle of the Nations". Perhaps, precisely because of the heterogeneity of the troops, the diversity of the tasks that they set for themselves, we do not have to talk, for example, about the advantage of the Hunnic cavalry, Roman infantry, etc. A significant part of the two fighting armies were people, so to speak, one military school.
Attila did not begin the battle for a long time. There are different opinions on this matter. For example, they believe that the Hunnic leader decided that if he loses, darkness will help him when he withdraws. However, although in the daytime, and not in the morning, it was he who began the battle.
There was an elevation between the two armies, and both sides tried to capture it. The Huns sent several squadrons there, separating them from the vanguard, and Aetius sent the Visigothic cavalry, which, arriving first, attacked from above and overthrew the Huns.
The struggle for the dominant height took place with varying success. Aetius, who knew well the tactics of the battle of the steppe inhabitants, seemed to once again be able to repel the attack of the advancing Huns. Attila decided in time to strengthen his army with speeches: “So, quick and easy, we attack the enemy, because the one who strikes is always brave. Scorn these multi-lingual tribes gathered here: a sign of fear is to defend yourself by the allied forces. Look! Already before your onslaught, the enemies are struck with terror. Let your spirit rise, let your inherent rage boil! Now, Huns, use your understanding, use your weapon!"
Shouting "The brave ones attack first!" Attila rushed into battle. In an instant, everything was confused. The cries of battle, the glint of weapons and the dust that rose behind the rushing horsemen. The Byzantine historian Jordan wrote: “Until now, no antiquity has ever told about such a battle, although it tells about such deeds, more magnificent than which there is nothing that could be observed in life, if only one did not witness this very miracle. If the old people are to be believed, the stream in the Catalaunian fields, flowing in the low banks, overflowed heavily from the blood and wounds of those killed."
During the battle, Theodoric was killed. But the Goths of Theodoric defeated the Goths of Attila. Attila rushed to the weak center of the Romans, crushed it, but the Visigoths crashed into the right side of the Huns, and Aetius turned his wing against them and descended on the right. After a fierce struggle, the Huns, squeezed from both flanks, were forced to retreat.
Attila withdrew his troops and took refuge in the camp, which was a circle of wagons, inside which there were tents. At that time, Aetius was forced to release the Visigoths so that they could bury their king with honors. In their absence, the continuation of the battle could turn into trouble for the Roman army. But Attila was not going to resume battles. Having agreed with Aetius, he began to withdraw his motley army.
His departure from the battlefield did not even approximately resemble flight. In full battle formation with fluttering banners and the sound of trumpets, the Huns and their allies left the Catalaunian fields. In the literature, it is possible to come across the assumption that such a retreat (like the entire previous campaign and battle) was only a demonstration of Hunnic power, undertaken to intimidate the enemy.
This can be believed, especially considering that a year later Attila undertook an even more successful campaign, invaded the very heart of Italy and only after a mysterious conversation with Pope Leo I turned the troops back.
Attila died in Pannonia in 453, presumably of a hemorrhage. His power briefly outlived its ruler. Aetius was killed in Rome by political opponents. Has the Battle of the Catalaunian Fields proved anything? Hardly. It is said that Western civilization was saved from the wild East. But the east was not so wild, the victory was not actually achieved (the Huns retained their power).
Rome was destroyed by vandals in 455. And 20 years later, the Roman Empire ended its existence. The military leader Odoacer (the son of one of Attila's officers) overthrew the emperor Romulus Augustulus and sent the imperial regalia to Constantinople.
What were the Europeans fighting for? Apparently, the battle on the Catalaunian Fields was a bright flash in the struggle of all against all. The struggle with which a new era in history began - the era of the Middle Ages.
V. Karnatsevich