Abstract
Why did Attila the Hun withdraw from Italy in 452? Ancient sources give two explanations: the divine intervention of Pope Leo persuaded Attila to leave; or, the Huns suffered from hunger and disease, the explanation preferred by most historians. To the contrary, this micro-regional study of northern Italy argues that Attila met his food supply needs. By observing the distances traveled and extrapolating the speed of the Huns, this study proposes, in place of the traditional food shortage explanation, that Attila left Italy due to the oncoming winter.
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Cite this article
Jason Linn, “Attila’s Appetite: The Logistics of Attila the Hun’s Invasion of Italy in 452,” The Journal of Military History 83, no. 2 (April 2019): 325–346.