Battle of Catalaunian Plains 451 marked shift in Roman military tactics. The Battle of Catalaunian Plains in 451 featured Aetius commanding a coalition against Attila The Visigoths under Theodoric fought alongside Roman forces The battle strongly recalls the classical Battle of Marathon due to classicizing writing styles
The 451 Battle of Catalaunian Plains saw Aetius commanding a coalition including Visigoths under Theodoric against Attila. Many listed 'barbarian' forces likely had Roman leaders and organizational structures! Classicizing late antique authors may have distorted how non-Roman forces are described — strongly recalls Marathon.
Key Facts
- The Battle of Catalaunian Plains in 451 featured Aetius commanding a coalition against Attila
- The Visigoths under Theodoric fought alongside Roman forces
- The battle strongly recalls the classical Battle of Marathon due to classicizing writing styles
- The term 'hospitalitas' initially billed troops in houses but shifted to tax revenue in late antiquity
- Many listed 'barbarian' forces at the battle likely had Roman leaders and organizational structures
- The classicizing writing of late antique authors may have distorted how non-Roman forces are described
Source: Did the Roman Empire fall because it recruited too many barbarians into the military? by The Historian's Craft