This man wielded at will, it is said, an army of over half a million troops.
At the time he received from the son of Clodion the invitation to interfere in the affairs of Gaul, Attila was already contemplating an invasion of both the Western and Eastern Empires; but the prospect of an ally in Gaul, with an opportunity of afterwards attacking Italy from the west, was too favorable to be neglected.
A march of six hundred miles brought the Huns to the Rhine.

Crossing this, they continued their progress, sacking and burning whatever cities lay in their route.
The Visigoths under Theodoric, joining the Romans under Aetius, met the Huns near Orleans.

Attila retreated towards Chalons, where, in 451, was fought a great battle, which saved the civilization of Western Europe.
Attila began the attack.

He was bravely met by the Romans; and a charge of the Visigoths completed the discomfiture of the savages.

Aetius did not push his victory, but allowed the Huns to retreat in the direction of Italy.