Evan Schultheis reexamines the evidence for Attila's most famous battle, the climax of his invasion of the Western Roman Empire, which had reached as far as Orleans in France. Traditionally considered one of the defining battles in European history, saving the West from conquest by the Huns, the Cataluanian Plains are revealed here to be significant, but less immediately decisive than has been claimed.

This new study exposes the over-simplified views of Attila's army, which was a sophisticated and complex full-spectrum force, composed of the Huns and their many allies and vassals. The 'Roman' forces, which consisted mainly of Visigothic and Alan allies, are also analyzed in detail. The author, a historical reenactor, describes the motivations and tactics of both sides. Drawing on contemporary historiography and primary source research, as well as Roman military encyclopedias, Evan Schultheis offers an entirely new tactical analysis of the battle and a radical reassessment of the Hunnic war, Roman usage of federates, and the ethnography of the Germanic peoples who fought on each side. The result is a fresh and detailed study of the 5th-century battle.

Pages: 168, Dimensions: 15.6x15.6cm