At the beginning of V century the Huns, led by Rua, formed an empire that extended from the Caucasus to the Elbe, thanks to the speed with which their horses allowed them to move.Bleda and Attila, sons of Rua, were his successors. Bleda was assassinated and Attila, “God’s side” extended his dominions to the Balkans (447).
Byzantium bought peace by increasing the tribute it already paid to the Huns. In 451, Attila crossed the Rhine and besieged orleans. The Gallo-Romans, Burgundians, Alans, Saxons and Armoriacs, led by the Roman general Aetius, forced him to lift the siege and defeated him in the Battle of the Mauriac Fieldsnear Troyes.
The following year, Attila stormed into northern Italy and reached Rome, which was saved thanks to the intervention of the Pope Leo I and the promise of tribute. Shortly thereafter Attila died and the empire, deprived of its authority, fell apart. The Huns ceased to be a danger to Europe and retreated to the steppes of southern Russia.