Pope Leo and Attila the Hun

452 C.E.

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Pope Leo and Attila the Hun

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Raphael’s 1514 Painting

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Rome Grows Weaker

Beginning in the 200s CE, Rome faced many challenges:

•Weak leaders

•Economic troubles

•Invaders

Emperor Alexander Severus – murdered by his own soldiers

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Invasions

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Attila the Hun

• Attila the Hun led an attack on Gaul.

• Roman Army and German allies defeated him in 451.

• Attila then attacked the city of Rome.

• In 452, Attila peacefully left Rome after a meeting with Pope Leo.

Central Historical Question

What happened at the meeting between Pope Leo

and Attila the Hun?