10 Dates in Church 10 Dates in Church HistoryHistory

452 AD:452 AD:

Pope St. Leo Repulses Pope St. Leo Repulses

The HunsThe Huns

Historical BackgroundHistorical Background

► The Western Roman Empire was in turmoil: The Western Roman Empire was in turmoil: ► Bad economy: inflation and high cost of Bad economy: inflation and high cost of

welfare., high cost of maintaining the empire. welfare., high cost of maintaining the empire. ► Political rivalry and barbarism, corruption Political rivalry and barbarism, corruption

from within from within ► Pagan practices and immorality still practiced Pagan practices and immorality still practiced

even amongst so-called Christians even amongst so-called Christians ► An unstable military, especially along the An unstable military, especially along the

frontier borders.frontier borders.

Attila and the HunsAttila and the Huns

► They were barbarians from Mongolia, astute They were barbarians from Mongolia, astute on horseback and the bow; fearless and on horseback and the bow; fearless and ruthless battle tactics.ruthless battle tactics.

► 435 AD, Attila rises to power that began his 435 AD, Attila rises to power that began his westward conquest of Europe.westward conquest of Europe.

► As Europe fell, Attila became feared as the As Europe fell, Attila became feared as the “Scourge of God.”“Scourge of God.”

► 452 AD, Attila invades the peninsula of Italy 452 AD, Attila invades the peninsula of Italy and demands that Rome pay tribute in and demands that Rome pay tribute in exchange for peace. exchange for peace.

Pope St. Leo and AttilaPope St. Leo and Attila

► Roman Emperor Valentinian fled and asked for Roman Emperor Valentinian fled and asked for Pope Leo’s prayers and divine intervention.Pope Leo’s prayers and divine intervention.

► As Attila approached Rome, Pope Leo and As Attila approached Rome, Pope Leo and other Roman officials met with Attila. Legend other Roman officials met with Attila. Legend has it that Attila had a vision…has it that Attila had a vision…

► Attila may also have decided to spare Rome Attila may also have decided to spare Rome and Italy perhaps because Pope Leo left a and Italy perhaps because Pope Leo left a good impression, or maybe other reasons…good impression, or maybe other reasons…

► Attila dies in 453 AD from alcoholism. Without Attila dies in 453 AD from alcoholism. Without their leader, the Hun army dissipates.their leader, the Hun army dissipates.

What This Means in Church What This Means in Church HistoryHistory

► Once Emperor Valentinian left, Rome was left to the Once Emperor Valentinian left, Rome was left to the authority of the papacy, which in turn became the authority of the papacy, which in turn became the ‘government’ in the absence of the emperor.‘government’ in the absence of the emperor.

► The Pope must have prayed earnestly for divine The Pope must have prayed earnestly for divine intercession because it was believed that the intercession because it was believed that the invaders were God’s punishment for the immorality invaders were God’s punishment for the immorality of the Romans.of the Romans.

► Attila could have easily conquered Rome but for Attila could have easily conquered Rome but for reasons not fully known, decided to spare her. He reasons not fully known, decided to spare her. He met his untimely death one year later.met his untimely death one year later.

► It was through the leadership of the papacy and It was through the leadership of the papacy and divine intervention that Christian Europe will be divine intervention that Christian Europe will be molded.molded.