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The Huns, as depicted in the game, Total War: Attila
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From the year 430s to 450s, Europe was terrorized by nomadic barbarians known as the Huns. During this period of time, Rome split into two - the Western and Eastern Roman Empire. Rome was at its lowest state. The Eastern Roman Empire was richer and controlled the Mediterranean, but faced the powerful Sassanid Empire from Persia. Western Rome stretched from Spain to Italy and Tunisia, but could barely hold on.
Attila led the Huns to extracted tribute (protection money) from both Roman Empires after raiding and sacking their cities. At Attila's peak, he received 700 kg of gold per year from Eastern Rome.
In 450, Attila renewed his campaign against Western Rome. However in 451, Attila suffered massive losses at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains (Northeast France). Undeterred, he launched an invasion of Italy and pushed his way toward Rome, sacking the city of Aquileia in the process. His forces stopped at the River Po in 452.
The meeting with Pope Leo I
With the Western Roman Emperor's blessing, three envoys were sent to negotiate peace with Attila. Gennadius Avienus, Memmius Aemilius Trygetius (both civilian officers), and Pope Leo I. While there are no records of what was discussed, Attila agreed to remove his forces from Italy peacefully. No gold was exchanged and no betrothal was offered.
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The Meeting of Leo the Great and Attila by Raphael. Painting was done between 1513 and 1514.
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So why did Attila retreat?
While Attila was rumored to have shown deference and mercy to Christian bishops like
Lupus of Troyes, this meeting with Pope Leo I was well-recorded to have happen. Yet there are different ideas of Attila's sudden withdrawal.
Prosper of Aquitaine, a Christian historian mentioned that Attila was so impressed by the pope that he withdrew.
Priscus, an Eastern Roman diplomat wrote that Attila was superstitious and learned that another barbarian leader, Alaric of the Visigoths died one year after sacking Rome in 410.
Hydatius, a Western Roman chronicler was a bit more pragmatic in his interpretation. He remarked that the Huns was worn down by plague and starvation (there was a famine in Italy at that time). Thus Attila knew he had little reward in taking Rome. This seems to be the current favored theory as it has been reasoned that Attila was not a Christian and previously respected strength and gold.
What does this mean for a Christian?
No doubt there was probably some level of fear for Pope Leo I and his companions. After all, Priscus wrote (of Attila),
He was a man born into the world to shake the nations, the scourge of all lands, who in a way frightened all mankind by the terrible rumours that were spread about him.
In the Christian view, there are two types of fear. One is the fear of God which is to have reverence and respect for Gods nature and power. This fear is beneficial.
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom;
all those who practice it have a good understanding.
His praise endures forever! - Psalms 111:10
Yet we know that there is a type of fear that hinders us Christians from doing God's work.
For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. - 2 Timothy 1:6-7
While many of us will never be called to negotiate with a foreign aggressor or terrorist, we have experienced this type of fear before. Now I do not know if Pope Leo was thinking the same thing, but I do know that my worst and most fearful days are never as bad because I trust God.
In God, whose word I praise,
in the Lord, whose word I praise,
in God I trust; I shall not be afraid.
What can man do to me? - Psalms 56:10 -11
Scary our problems are, ultimately God is with us as long as we trust and love Him.
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