THE BATTLE OF THE CATALAUNIAN FIELDS AD 451

1-220500

Attila the Hun's most famous battle, the climax of his invasion of the Western Roman Empire, reached as far as Orleans in France. Traditionally considered one of the pivotal battles in European history, saving the West from conquest by the Huns, the Catalaunian Fields is here revealed to be significant but less immediately decisive than claimed. Includes 10 b/w maps and diagrams and 20 color illustrations.

This new study exposes oversimplified views of Attila's army, which was a sophisticated and complex all-arms force, drawn from the Huns and their many allies and subjects. The 'Roman' forces, largely consisting of Visigoth and Alan allies, are also analyzed in detail.

Drawing on the latest historiography and research of the primary sources and utilizing Roman military manuals, this book describes the motives and tactics of both sides of this 5th Century battle and offers a completely new tactical analysis of the battle and a drastic reconsideration of Hun warfare, the Roman use of federates, and the ethnography of the Germanic peoples who fought for either side.