Roman History 35 - Valentinian III To Majorian 440-461 AD

hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of realm episode 171 The Gathering Storm realm episode 171 The Gathering Storm realm episode 171 The Gathering Storm [Music] [Music] [Music] oh my goodness the history of Rome tour oh my goodness the history of Rome tour oh my goodness the history of Rome tour is so much fun is so much fun is so much fun we don't have firm dates for the next we don't have firm dates for the next we don't have firm dates for the next round but history of Rome tor.com check round but history of Rome tor.com check round but history of Rome tor.com check it out it is so much fun it out it is so much fun it out it is so much fun also as you may have noticed a also as you may have noticed a also as you may have noticed a combination of jet lag and conflicting combination of jet lag and conflicting combination of jet lag and conflicting responsibilities have conspired to leave responsibilities have conspired to leave responsibilities have conspired to leave this episode a bit shorter than usual this episode a bit shorter than usual this episode a bit shorter than usual but we will be back in full effect next but we will be back in full effect next but we will be back in full effect next week I promise ok where were we ah yes week I promise ok where were we ah yes week I promise ok where were we ah yes its 447 AD and Attila the Hun is loose its 447 AD and Attila the Hun is loose its 447 AD and Attila the Hun is loose in the central Empire the Theodosia in the central Empire the Theodosia in the central Empire the Theodosia walls have managed to hold him off but walls have managed to hold him off but walls have managed to hold him off but unfortunately almost nothing else was unfortunately almost nothing else was unfortunately almost nothing else was able to say the same thing able to say the same thing able to say the same thing forts Garrison's cities armies all forts Garrison's cities armies all forts Garrison's cities armies all overrun ransacked and left dazed and overrun ransacked and left dazed and overrun ransacked and left dazed and traumatized but consistent with the traumatized but consistent with the traumatized but consistent with the standard Hunton policy of the last 15 standard Hunton policy of the last 15 standard Hunton policy of the last 15 years Attila was not actually interested years Attila was not actually interested years Attila was not actually interested in annexing Roman territory or in trying in annexing Roman territory or in trying in annexing Roman territory or in trying to conquer the Empire per se as you'll to conquer the Empire per se as you'll to conquer the Empire per se as you'll recall the whole trigger for this recall the whole trigger for this recall the whole trigger for this lightning campaign had been lightning campaign had been lightning campaign had been Constantinople experiment with not Constantinople experiment with not Constantinople experiment with not paying the indemnity that they had paying the indemnity that they had paying the indemnity that they had agreed to an experiment agreed to an experiment agreed to an experiment Attila hope Constantinople now Attila hope Constantinople now Attila hope Constantinople now recognized to be a complete failure also

recognized to be a complete failure also recognized to be a complete failure also consistent with standard hunt policy consistent with standard hunt policy consistent with standard hunt policy Attila took the opportunity to jack up Attila took the opportunity to jack up Attila took the opportunity to jack up the going rate for keeping the Huns out the going rate for keeping the Huns out the going rate for keeping the Huns out of the field from 1400 to 2100 pounds of of the field from 1400 to 2100 pounds of of the field from 1400 to 2100 pounds of gold per year and oh yeah gold per year and oh yeah gold per year and oh yeah we're going to need that 6,000 pounds of we're going to need that 6,000 pounds of we're going to need that 6,000 pounds of gold you already owe us upfront left gold you already owe us upfront left gold you already owe us upfront left with no other choice and probably just with no other choice and probably just with no other choice and probably just happy that there was a choice besides happy that there was a choice besides happy that there was a choice besides the Huns kicked the crap out of us the Huns kicked the crap out of us the Huns kicked the crap out of us indefinitely Theodosius ii agreed to the indefinitely Theodosius ii agreed to the indefinitely Theodosius ii agreed to the terms now i haven't really talked about terms now i haven't really talked about terms now i haven't really talked about this yet but the Huns indemnity policy this yet but the Huns indemnity policy this yet but the Huns indemnity policy goes a long way towards establishing goes a long way towards establishing goes a long way towards establishing them as something more advanced than them as something more advanced than them as something more advanced than your average snatch-and-grab barbarians your average snatch-and-grab barbarians your average snatch-and-grab barbarians they were not at all interested in they were not at all interested in they were not at all interested in killing the goose that laid their golden killing the goose that laid their golden killing the goose that laid their golden egg egg egg sure sometimes you had to go down and sure sometimes you had to go down and sure sometimes you had to go down and kick the goose around a bit if it tries kick the goose around a bit if it tries kick the goose around a bit if it tries to stop laying golden eggs but you don't to stop laying golden eggs but you don't to stop laying golden eggs but you don't kill it you let it live the Huns were kill it you let it live the Huns were kill it you let it live the Huns were farsighted enough to recognize than just farsighted enough to recognize than just farsighted enough to recognize than just blasting the Romans out of the water blasting the Romans out of the water blasting the Romans out of the water wouldn't be any good for anyone they had wouldn't be any good for anyone they had wouldn't be any good for anyone they had this nice advanced economy that had long this nice advanced economy that had long this nice advanced economy that had long established trade networks Criss established trade networks Criss established trade networks Criss crossing the Mediterranean and that crossing the Mediterranean and that crossing the Mediterranean and that reached as far afield as India and China reached as far afield as India and China reached as far afield as India and China why mess that up so as much as they why mess that up so as much as they why mess that up so as much as they could afford to they didn't mess it up could afford to they didn't mess it up could afford to they didn't mess it up they pushed it around some sure but it they pushed it around some sure but it they pushed it around some sure but it was imperative to leave the Roman was imperative to leave the Roman was imperative to leave the Roman economic structure intact so that every

economic structure intact so that every economic structure intact so that every year it could deposit 2,100 pounds of year it could deposit 2,100 pounds of year it could deposit 2,100 pounds of gold on their doorstep so as much as the gold on their doorstep so as much as the gold on their doorstep so as much as the Huns have been portrayed as mindless Huns have been portrayed as mindless Huns have been portrayed as mindless barbarian demons rampaging mindlessly barbarian demons rampaging mindlessly barbarian demons rampaging mindlessly across Late Antiquity they strike me as across Late Antiquity they strike me as across Late Antiquity they strike me as pretty savvy operators meanwhile often pretty savvy operators meanwhile often pretty savvy operators meanwhile often the West just as Theodosius in the the West just as Theodosius in the the West just as Theodosius in the eastern empire were agreeing to pay eastern empire were agreeing to pay eastern empire were agreeing to pay whatever the Huns wanted flavia's whatever the Huns wanted flavia's whatever the Huns wanted flavia's easiest was in the process of imposing easiest was in the process of imposing easiest was in the process of imposing his own terms on another branch of his own terms on another branch of his own terms on another branch of wayward franks though the peripheral wayward franks though the peripheral wayward franks though the peripheral provinces of the West were slipping away provinces of the West were slipping away provinces of the West were slipping away the central imperial authority was the central imperial authority was the central imperial authority was determined to hold on to the core determined to hold on to the core determined to hold on to the core provinces in Italy Gaul and Spain provinces in Italy Gaul and Spain provinces in Italy Gaul and Spain so in 448 ETS was in Northwest Gaul once so in 448 ETS was in Northwest Gaul once so in 448 ETS was in Northwest Gaul once again this time battling and defeating again this time battling and defeating again this time battling and defeating an independent-minded Frankish king an independent-minded Frankish king an independent-minded Frankish king named Claudio this battle with the named Claudio this battle with the named Claudio this battle with the Franks is in and of itself not Franks is in and of itself not Franks is in and of itself not particularly important but for those of particularly important but for those of particularly important but for those of you interested in long discredited you interested in long discredited you interested in long discredited conspiracy theories that get plagiarized conspiracy theories that get plagiarized conspiracy theories that get plagiarized by hack writers and turned into by hack writers and turned into by hack writers and turned into inexplicable bestsellers you'll be happy inexplicable bestsellers you'll be happy inexplicable bestsellers you'll be happy to know that Claudio is on the shortlist to know that Claudio is on the shortlist to know that Claudio is on the shortlist of candidates for the title founder of of candidates for the title founder of of candidates for the title founder of the Merovingian dynasty according to the Merovingian dynasty according to the Merovingian dynasty according to official legend it was Claudio successor official legend it was Claudio successor official legend it was Claudio successor and possible son Maravich who founded and possible son Maravich who founded and possible son Maravich who founded the dynasty and gave it its name but the dynasty and gave it its name but the dynasty and gave it its name but since Maravich is a semi mythical figure

since Maravich is a semi mythical figure since Maravich is a semi mythical figure whose actual existence is disputed some whose actual existence is disputed some whose actual existence is disputed some scholars point to Claudio as the real scholars point to Claudio as the real scholars point to Claudio as the real founder of the dynasty which means that founder of the dynasty which means that founder of the dynasty which means that he like married the descendants of Jesus he like married the descendants of Jesus he like married the descendants of Jesus and Mary Magdalene or something and Mary Magdalene or something and Mary Magdalene or something I don't really know it's been a long I don't really know it's been a long I don't really know it's been a long time since I read Holy Blood Holy Grail time since I read Holy Blood Holy Grail time since I read Holy Blood Holy Grail anyway e Deus defeated Claudio and anyway e Deus defeated Claudio and anyway e Deus defeated Claudio and dragged one of the Frankish Kings sons dragged one of the Frankish Kings sons dragged one of the Frankish Kings sons down to Milan to act as a hostage and down to Milan to act as a hostage and down to Milan to act as a hostage and keep the nascent Merovingians in check keep the nascent Merovingians in check keep the nascent Merovingians in check or maybe to keep the power of Jesus's or maybe to keep the power of Jesus's or maybe to keep the power of Jesus's bloodline for himself or something the bloodline for himself or something the bloodline for himself or something the other reason the battle against Claudio other reason the battle against Claudio other reason the battle against Claudio is important is that it marks the first is important is that it marks the first is important is that it marks the first appearance of two men who will shortly appearance of two men who will shortly appearance of two men who will shortly move to the forefront of our story both move to the forefront of our story both move to the forefront of our story both of whom likely fought under ETS in the of whom likely fought under ETS in the of whom likely fought under ETS in the battle Julius Valerius Maggiore honest battle Julius Valerius Maggiore honest battle Julius Valerius Maggiore honest who would through a series of twists and who would through a series of twists and who would through a series of twists and turns become emperor of the Western turns become emperor of the Western turns become emperor of the Western Empire in late 457 and Flavius rickum ur Empire in late 457 and Flavius rickum ur Empire in late 457 and Flavius rickum ur the German general who would follow in the German general who would follow in the German general who would follow in the footsteps of still a co and ETS the footsteps of still a co and ETS the footsteps of still a co and ETS place his old friend maggiorin on the place his old friend maggiorin on the place his old friend maggiorin on the throne at the beginning of a 16 year run throne at the beginning of a 16 year run throne at the beginning of a 16 year run as de facto ruler of the Western Empire Maggiore n' born in the four 20s was the Maggiore n' born in the four 20s was the grandson of one of Theodosius the first grandson of one of Theodosius the first grandson of one of Theodosius the first top generals and was just at the point top generals and was just at the point top generals and was just at the point of his career where people were of his career where people were of his career where people were beginning to take notice at the battle beginning to take notice at the battle beginning to take notice at the battle against claudio he wrote at the head of

against claudio he wrote at the head of against claudio he wrote at the head of a cavalry detachment that seized control a cavalry detachment that seized control a cavalry detachment that seized control of a critical bridge helping to secure of a critical bridge helping to secure of a critical bridge helping to secure victory early in the fight he was young victory early in the fight he was young victory early in the fight he was young enough capable enough and prominent enough capable enough and prominent enough capable enough and prominent enough that Valentini in the 3rd enough that Valentini in the 3rd enough that Valentini in the 3rd seriously considered marrying his seriously considered marrying his seriously considered marrying his youngest daughter Placidia to maggiorin youngest daughter Placidia to maggiorin youngest daughter Placidia to maggiorin in the early 450s but e dias determined in the early 450s but e dias determined in the early 450s but e dias determined that his own son should marry Placidia that his own son should marry Placidia that his own son should marry Placidia undermined his subordinate court and undermined his subordinate court and undermined his subordinate court and then expelled maggiorin from the army then expelled maggiorin from the army then expelled maggiorin from the army Maggiore would remain in exile until ET Maggiore would remain in exile until ET Maggiore would remain in exile until ET is his death in 454 whereupon he and is his death in 454 whereupon he and is his death in 454 whereupon he and rick imir would come crashing back into rick imir would come crashing back into rick imir would come crashing back into the picture and the chaotic aftermath of the picture and the chaotic aftermath of the picture and the chaotic aftermath of ets s assassination Ricca Murr on the other hand was much Ricca Murr on the other hand was much older probably born around 405 he was a older probably born around 405 he was a older probably born around 405 he was a noble goth related to the royal family noble goth related to the royal family noble goth related to the royal family by way of his mother who was either the by way of his mother who was either the by way of his mother who was either the late King walias daughter or sister late King walias daughter or sister late King walias daughter or sister depending on which source you read his depending on which source you read his depending on which source you read his date of birth means that he was likely date of birth means that he was likely date of birth means that he was likely born in Illyria during the period of born in Illyria during the period of born in Illyria during the period of tension and partnership and then tension tension and partnership and then tension tension and partnership and then tension again between Alaric and still account again between Alaric and still account again between Alaric and still account it also means that as he grew up he was it also means that as he grew up he was it also means that as he grew up he was present for every step of the great and present for every step of the great and present for every step of the great and terrible goth migration into Italy out terrible goth migration into Italy out terrible goth migration into Italy out of Italy down to sack Rome up to Gaul to of Italy down to sack Rome up to Gaul to of Italy down to sack Rome up to Gaul to defeat Joe Venus trapped in Spain defeat Joe Venus trapped in Spain defeat Joe Venus trapped in Spain allowed to settle an Aquitaine the works

allowed to settle an Aquitaine the works allowed to settle an Aquitaine the works though he was just a boy Rick Amir though he was just a boy Rick Amir though he was just a boy Rick Amir witnessed firsthand what it meant to be witnessed firsthand what it meant to be witnessed firsthand what it meant to be a major player in the cunning and a major player in the cunning and a major player in the cunning and dangerous world of war on politics and dangerous world of war on politics and dangerous world of war on politics and he appears to have learned his lessons he appears to have learned his lessons he appears to have learned his lessons well when it came time for him to make well when it came time for him to make well when it came time for him to make his own bid for power in the mid 450s he his own bid for power in the mid 450s he his own bid for power in the mid 450s he neither flinched nor slipped we will neither flinched nor slipped we will neither flinched nor slipped we will have much much more to say about Rick have much much more to say about Rick have much much more to say about Rick Amir as we move forward Amir as we move forward Amir as we move forward the man legendary Cambridge historian JB the man legendary Cambridge historian JB the man legendary Cambridge historian JB Barry called Barry called Barry called the first German king of Italy the link the first German king of Italy the link the first German king of Italy the link between Stila Coe and Odoacer 449 ad the between Stila Coe and Odoacer 449 ad the between Stila Coe and Odoacer 449 ad the year after Theodosius a settlement with year after Theodosius a settlement with year after Theodosius a settlement with attila and ET is's victory over claudio attila and ET is's victory over claudio attila and ET is's victory over claudio was the calm before the storm however was the calm before the storm however was the calm before the storm however the storm that would break in 450 451 the storm that would break in 450 451 the storm that would break in 450 451 was not the one that an objective was not the one that an objective was not the one that an objective observer likely would have predicted observer likely would have predicted observer likely would have predicted thus far atilla's attention had been thus far atilla's attention had been thus far atilla's attention had been focused entirely on the eastern empire focused entirely on the eastern empire focused entirely on the eastern empire neither he nor his predecessors had neither he nor his predecessors had neither he nor his predecessors had shown much interest in moving west you shown much interest in moving west you shown much interest in moving west you would think that any temptation until would think that any temptation until would think that any temptation until they might have had to go poke that they might have had to go poke that they might have had to go poke that Golden Goose would have been tempered by Golden Goose would have been tempered by Golden Goose would have been tempered by two facts first two facts first two facts first so at this point the Western Empire was so at this point the Western Empire was so at this point the Western Empire was neither is rich nor is stable as the neither is rich nor is stable as the neither is rich nor is stable as the Eastern Empire it was clearly the Eastern Empire it was clearly the Eastern Empire it was clearly the inferior Imperial twin and second he was inferior Imperial twin and second he was inferior Imperial twin and second he was on excellent terms with aegis the ruler

on excellent terms with aegis the ruler on excellent terms with aegis the ruler of that inferior twin far from viewing of that inferior twin far from viewing of that inferior twin far from viewing the Western Empire as a potential the Western Empire as a potential the Western Empire as a potential adversary adversary adversary Attila almost certainly considered the Attila almost certainly considered the Attila almost certainly considered the Western Empire to be a stable Ally and Western Empire to be a stable Ally and Western Empire to be a stable Ally and absolutely nothing about ETS conduct absolutely nothing about ETS conduct absolutely nothing about ETS conduct indicated the hon king should think any indicated the hon king should think any indicated the hon king should think any different so you take those two basic different so you take those two basic different so you take those two basic points and you add them to the fact that points and you add them to the fact that points and you add them to the fact that in mid 449 the Imperial Chamberlain of in mid 449 the Imperial Chamberlain of in mid 449 the Imperial Chamberlain of the Eastern Empire made a ham-fisted the Eastern Empire made a ham-fisted the Eastern Empire made a ham-fisted attempt to assassinate Attila with like attempt to assassinate Attila with like attempt to assassinate Attila with like exploding cigars or something you would exploding cigars or something you would exploding cigars or something you would think that the crisis that began in 450 think that the crisis that began in 450 think that the crisis that began in 450 would have been a second invasion of the would have been a second invasion of the would have been a second invasion of the east by Attila but it wasn't was it a Tillis decision to invade the West Tillis decision to invade the West rather than put another boot to the rather than put another boot to the rather than put another boot to the throat of the east is quadruple e hard throat of the east is quadruple e hard throat of the east is quadruple e hard to wrap your head around because of a to wrap your head around because of a to wrap your head around because of a massively destabilizing horseback ride massively destabilizing horseback ride massively destabilizing horseback ride that took place in July of 450 while out that took place in July of 450 while out that took place in July of 450 while out on a ride Theodosius ii fell from his on a ride Theodosius ii fell from his on a ride Theodosius ii fell from his horse broke his neck and died he was 49 horse broke his neck and died he was 49 horse broke his neck and died he was 49 years old and had ruled the east for a years old and had ruled the east for a years old and had ruled the east for a kind of astounding 42 years just as kind of astounding 42 years just as kind of astounding 42 years just as suddenly as you please the eastern suddenly as you please the eastern suddenly as you please the eastern empire had no emperor which is exactly empire had no emperor which is exactly empire had no emperor which is exactly the sort of thing you'd think a the sort of thing you'd think a the sort of thing you'd think a ticked-off and opportunistic minded ticked-off and opportunistic minded ticked-off and opportunistic minded Attila might want to take advantage of

Attila might want to take advantage of Attila might want to take advantage of but he never did Theodosius ii had just one living Theodosius ii had just one living daughter lacy neha dhupia and she had daughter lacy neha dhupia and she had daughter lacy neha dhupia and she had gone west to milan after marrying gone west to milan after marrying gone west to milan after marrying Valentini in the third thus far Valentini in the third thus far Valentini in the third thus far Valentini dosia had two children of Valentini dosia had two children of Valentini dosia had two children of their own their own their own both girls 11 year old utopia and seven both girls 11 year old utopia and seven both girls 11 year old utopia and seven to nine year old Placidia this meant to nine year old Placidia this meant to nine year old Placidia this meant that the next ruler of the eastern that the next ruler of the eastern that the next ruler of the eastern empire was empire was empire was going to have to be chosen a moment going to have to be chosen a moment going to have to be chosen a moment always fraught with extreme danger at a always fraught with extreme danger at a always fraught with extreme danger at a moment the East had not dealt with in moment the East had not dealt with in moment the East had not dealt with in almost 60 years this particular moment almost 60 years this particular moment almost 60 years this particular moment was even more dangerous because while was even more dangerous because while was even more dangerous because while neither of Theodosius his granddaughters neither of Theodosius his granddaughters neither of Theodosius his granddaughters were married you dog SIA had been were married you dog SIA had been were married you dog SIA had been betrothed in the mid 4 40s to wait for betrothed in the mid 4 40s to wait for betrothed in the mid 4 40s to wait for it it it hunter ik the son of the vandal king and hunter ik the son of the vandal king and hunter ik the son of the vandal king and Saric this engagement had been a Saric this engagement had been a Saric this engagement had been a political arrangement to help ease political arrangement to help ease political arrangement to help ease tensions between the Vandals and Romans tensions between the Vandals and Romans tensions between the Vandals and Romans but right now it suddenly meant that but right now it suddenly meant that but right now it suddenly meant that Henrik might be in line for the throne Henrik might be in line for the throne Henrik might be in line for the throne of Constantinople of Constantinople of Constantinople luckily the wedding had not taken place luckily the wedding had not taken place luckily the wedding had not taken place yet you don't see his younger sister yet you don't see his younger sister yet you don't see his younger sister Placidia was too young for anyone to Placidia was too young for anyone to Placidia was too young for anyone to have settled on a future husband for her have settled on a future husband for her have settled on a future husband for her yet although as I just mentioned ETS was yet although as I just mentioned ETS was yet although as I just mentioned ETS was likely angling from the start for his likely angling from the start for his likely angling from the start for his own son to get the nod so where did that

own son to get the nod so where did that own son to get the nod so where did that leave the eastern empire who was going leave the eastern empire who was going leave the eastern empire who was going to step up and how were they going to be to step up and how were they going to be to step up and how were they going to be legitimized the answer finally came from legitimized the answer finally came from legitimized the answer finally came from the late Theodosius is powerful sister the late Theodosius is powerful sister the late Theodosius is powerful sister Elia Bulgaria though she was no longer Elia Bulgaria though she was no longer Elia Bulgaria though she was no longer the all-powerful figure she had been the all-powerful figure she had been the all-powerful figure she had been early in her brother's reign Bulgaria early in her brother's reign Bulgaria early in her brother's reign Bulgaria had lost none of her brains or backbone had lost none of her brains or backbone had lost none of her brains or backbone and she had remained an influential and she had remained an influential and she had remained an influential force in the Eastern politics when force in the Eastern politics when force in the Eastern politics when Theodosius died bolt area immediately Theodosius died bolt area immediately Theodosius died bolt area immediately stepped into the power vacuum and began stepped into the power vacuum and began stepped into the power vacuum and began issuing orders as the official sovereign issuing orders as the official sovereign issuing orders as the official sovereign of the empire sort of the same way she of the empire sort of the same way she of the empire sort of the same way she had stepped in as a 15 year old girl had stepped in as a 15 year old girl had stepped in as a 15 year old girl back in 412 and declared herself a back in 412 and declared herself a back in 412 and declared herself a regent over her younger brother regent over her younger brother regent over her younger brother Theodosius for about a month the single Theodosius for about a month the single Theodosius for about a month the single and loving it bulgaria acted as ruler of and loving it bulgaria acted as ruler of and loving it bulgaria acted as ruler of the east until the senate in the east until the senate in the east until the senate in constantinople finally broke under the constantinople finally broke under the constantinople finally broke under the weight of their own incredulity things weight of their own incredulity things weight of their own incredulity things cannot go on like this cannot go on like this cannot go on like this the Augusta has to find a husband will the Augusta has to find a husband will the Augusta has to find a husband will ratify whoever you choose and make him ratify whoever you choose and make him ratify whoever you choose and make him Emperor but seriously please we cannot Emperor but seriously please we cannot Emperor but seriously please we cannot handle the embarrassment of handle the embarrassment of handle the embarrassment of being ruled by a woman I'm sorry we wish being ruled by a woman I'm sorry we wish being ruled by a woman I'm sorry we wish it didn't have to be like this but we're it didn't have to be like this but we're it didn't have to be like this but we're a patriarchal society full of a patriarchal society full of a patriarchal society full of unrepentant misogynists so please please unrepentant misogynists so please please unrepentant misogynists so please please find a husband so pull cheriya plucked find a husband so pull cheriya plucked find a husband so pull cheriya plucked someone close at hand who wouldn't cause someone close at hand who wouldn't cause someone close at hand who wouldn't cause her too much trouble captain of the

her too much trouble captain of the her too much trouble captain of the household guard Flavius Marciano's Marcion had been born in Illyria around Marcion had been born in Illyria around 392 and had risen up the ranks through 392 and had risen up the ranks through 392 and had risen up the ranks through the bureaucratic wing of the imperial the bureaucratic wing of the imperial the bureaucratic wing of the imperial governing apparatus rather than the governing apparatus rather than the governing apparatus rather than the military wing but that did not mean he military wing but that did not mean he military wing but that did not mean he was completely inexperienced with the was completely inexperienced with the was completely inexperienced with the art of war or disdained by the eastern art of war or disdained by the eastern art of war or disdained by the eastern generals indeed his main sponsored for generals indeed his main sponsored for generals indeed his main sponsored for occult areas hand in marriage was the occult areas hand in marriage was the occult areas hand in marriage was the general a spar who had led the campaign general a spar who had led the campaign general a spar who had led the campaign in North Africa that had led to the in North Africa that had led to the in North Africa that had led to the first settlement between the Vandals and first settlement between the Vandals and first settlement between the Vandals and Rome back in 435 according to legend Rome back in 435 according to legend Rome back in 435 according to legend Marcion had been on that campaign and Marcion had been on that campaign and Marcion had been on that campaign and had actually been captured by the had actually been captured by the had actually been captured by the Vandals brought before against Zurich Vandals brought before against Zurich Vandals brought before against Zurich the Vandal King had a premonition that the Vandal King had a premonition that the Vandal King had a premonition that Marcion would one day rule the Eastern Marcion would one day rule the Eastern Marcion would one day rule the Eastern Empire and so the King released a young Empire and so the King released a young Empire and so the King released a young officer on the promise that he would officer on the promise that he would officer on the promise that he would never again make war on the Vandals his never again make war on the Vandals his never again make war on the Vandals his story that I'm sure is 100% accurate and story that I'm sure is 100% accurate and story that I'm sure is 100% accurate and not at all contrived after the fact not at all contrived after the fact not at all contrived after the fact propaganda another story that I'm sure propaganda another story that I'm sure propaganda another story that I'm sure is 100% accurate and not at all is 100% accurate and not at all is 100% accurate and not at all contrived after the fact propaganda is contrived after the fact propaganda is contrived after the fact propaganda is the one about a dying Theodosius with the one about a dying Theodosius with the one about a dying Theodosius with his last breath naming Marcion to be his his last breath naming Marcion to be his his last breath naming Marcion to be his heir uh-huh and if you believe that I've heir uh-huh and if you believe that I've heir uh-huh and if you believe that I've got a bridge to sell you in Brooklyn Marcion was crowned in August 450 and

Marcion was crowned in August 450 and making sure that no one missed the point making sure that no one missed the point making sure that no one missed the point Elia pulled cheriya was the one who Elia pulled cheriya was the one who Elia pulled cheriya was the one who placed the diadem on Martians head point placed the diadem on Martians head point placed the diadem on Martians head point taken your highness so we're going to taken your highness so we're going to taken your highness so we're going to leave it there for this week but next leave it there for this week but next leave it there for this week but next week another arranged Imperial marriage week another arranged Imperial marriage week another arranged Imperial marriage this one between this one between this one between Valentini in the third sister huh Nuria Valentini in the third sister huh Nuria Valentini in the third sister huh Nuria and a bland and upstanding Roman senator and a bland and upstanding Roman senator and a bland and upstanding Roman senator named bosses Hercule anis would suddenly named bosses Hercule anis would suddenly named bosses Hercule anis would suddenly lead to one of the greatest crises in lead to one of the greatest crises in lead to one of the greatest crises in the history of the Roman Empire the Hun the history of the Roman Empire the Hun the history of the Roman Empire the Hun invasion of the West invasion of the West invasion of the West how are these two events linked well how are these two events linked well how are these two events linked well it's an imperial princess who doesn't it's an imperial princess who doesn't it's an imperial princess who doesn't want to marry a bland and upstanding want to marry a bland and upstanding want to marry a bland and upstanding Roman senator sends you a plea for help Roman senator sends you a plea for help Roman senator sends you a plea for help and includes in the package a ring and includes in the package a ring and includes in the package a ring aren't you going to take that as a aren't you going to take that as a aren't you going to take that as a marriage proposal marriage proposal marriage proposal [Music] [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of realm episode 172 showdown so last week

realm episode 172 showdown so last week realm episode 172 showdown so last week we left off in 450 ad with two Imperial we left off in 450 ad with two Imperial we left off in 450 ad with two Imperial marriages the first in the East between marriages the first in the East between marriages the first in the East between Flavius Marciano's and Elia Pulcheria it Flavius Marciano's and Elia Pulcheria it Flavius Marciano's and Elia Pulcheria it saw the man we call Marcion elevated to saw the man we call Marcion elevated to saw the man we call Marcion elevated to the rank of Augustus the second in the the rank of Augustus the second in the the rank of Augustus the second in the West was between Honora and the Senator West was between Honora and the Senator West was between Honora and the Senator bosses Hercule anise which saw the bosses Hercule anise which saw the bosses Hercule anise which saw the Western Empire brought to the brink of Western Empire brought to the brink of Western Empire brought to the brink of ruin but just to the brink of ruin as we ruin but just to the brink of ruin as we ruin but just to the brink of ruin as we will see today whatever criticisms and will see today whatever criticisms and will see today whatever criticisms and judgments you want to lob at ETS for judgments you want to lob at ETS for judgments you want to lob at ETS for being a conniving backstabber or for being a conniving backstabber or for being a conniving backstabber or for letting North Africa slip away and letting North Africa slip away and letting North Africa slip away and hardly lifting a finger hardly lifting a finger hardly lifting a finger they must be offset at a minimum by his they must be offset at a minimum by his they must be offset at a minimum by his handling of the invasion of Attila the handling of the invasion of Attila the handling of the invasion of Attila the Hun ETS of course had many positive Hun ETS of course had many positive Hun ETS of course had many positive qualities that already offset those qualities that already offset those qualities that already offset those negatives but even if he didn't I think negatives but even if he didn't I think negatives but even if he didn't I think the way he managed to hold the line the way he managed to hold the line the way he managed to hold the line against Attila is enough to balance any against Attila is enough to balance any against Attila is enough to balance any scale ETS was at his best when the chips scale ETS was at his best when the chips scale ETS was at his best when the chips were down and he would be at his were down and he would be at his were down and he would be at his absolute best in 451 when it came time absolute best in 451 when it came time absolute best in 451 when it came time to face Attila in battle the western to face Attila in battle the western to face Attila in battle the western empire was falling but not yet ets is a empire was falling but not yet ets is a empire was falling but not yet ets is a big reason why so as I eluded at the end big reason why so as I eluded at the end big reason why so as I eluded at the end of the last episode in 450 ad the court of the last episode in 450 ad the court of the last episode in 450 ad the court of Valentinian the third had a problem of Valentinian the third had a problem of Valentinian the third had a problem namely the Emperor's older sister anuria

namely the Emperor's older sister anuria namely the Emperor's older sister anuria unlike the Imperial ladies of the court unlike the Imperial ladies of the court unlike the Imperial ladies of the court in Constantinople who had all taken vows in Constantinople who had all taken vows in Constantinople who had all taken vows of chastity a vow by the way that of chastity a vow by the way that of chastity a vow by the way that Marcion had been forced to respect when Marcion had been forced to respect when Marcion had been forced to respect when he married Elia Pulcheria her nuria he married Elia Pulcheria her nuria he married Elia Pulcheria her nuria wanted a bit more out of life she thus wanted a bit more out of life she thus wanted a bit more out of life she thus gained a reputation for herself not gained a reputation for herself not gained a reputation for herself not unlike the reputation gained once upon a unlike the reputation gained once upon a unlike the reputation gained once upon a time by the julius elder and younger ha time by the julius elder and younger ha time by the julius elder and younger ha Nuria managed to remain unmarried for Nuria managed to remain unmarried for Nuria managed to remain unmarried for quite a quite a quite a eyal but finally her scandals mounted up eyal but finally her scandals mounted up eyal but finally her scandals mounted up and her mother Galla Placidia prepared and her mother Galla Placidia prepared and her mother Galla Placidia prepared to marry her off to the aforementioned to marry her off to the aforementioned to marry her off to the aforementioned Hercule honest whose sole redeeming Hercule honest whose sole redeeming Hercule honest whose sole redeeming quality was an utter lack of ambition quality was an utter lack of ambition quality was an utter lack of ambition after all after all after all whoever married the sister of the whoever married the sister of the whoever married the sister of the Emperor stood a fairly decent chance of Emperor stood a fairly decent chance of Emperor stood a fairly decent chance of becoming Emperor himself one day just becoming Emperor himself one day just becoming Emperor himself one day just look at Marcin the Hercule anis was dull look at Marcin the Hercule anis was dull look at Marcin the Hercule anis was dull and predictable qualities prized by and predictable qualities prized by and predictable qualities prized by Galla Placidia and despised by her Nuria Galla Placidia and despised by her Nuria Galla Placidia and despised by her Nuria so the story goes so the story goes so the story goes in a dramatic fit she sent a messenger in a dramatic fit she sent a messenger in a dramatic fit she sent a messenger to find the great Attila the Hun to find the great Attila the Hun to find the great Attila the Hun and ask him for help enclosed with her and ask him for help enclosed with her and ask him for help enclosed with her note begging to be rescued from the note begging to be rescued from the note begging to be rescued from the prospect of a boring life with a boring prospect of a boring life with a boring prospect of a boring life with a boring man was one of her nuria's rings which man was one of her nuria's rings which man was one of her nuria's rings which she perhaps meant to be no more than she perhaps meant to be no more than she perhaps meant to be no more than proof but the note was indeed from the proof but the note was indeed from the proof but the note was indeed from the Emperor's sister but which Attila took Emperor's sister but which Attila took Emperor's sister but which Attila took to be a wedding proposal at least that's to be a wedding proposal at least that's to be a wedding proposal at least that's the way the story goes the way the story goes the way the story goes now whether Attila genuinely

now whether Attila genuinely now whether Attila genuinely misunderstood the message or misunderstood the message or misunderstood the message or intentionally misunderstood the message intentionally misunderstood the message intentionally misunderstood the message is open for debate is open for debate is open for debate whichever it was Attila responded by whichever it was Attila responded by whichever it was Attila responded by declaring himself ready to marry Honora declaring himself ready to marry Honora declaring himself ready to marry Honora and demanding oh let's say half the and demanding oh let's say half the and demanding oh let's say half the western empire as a dowry which was of western empire as a dowry which was of western empire as a dowry which was of course completely insane when the course completely insane when the course completely insane when the imperial court scoffed at this demand imperial court scoffed at this demand imperial court scoffed at this demand attila began to prepare an invasion attila began to prepare an invasion attila began to prepare an invasion which was of course also completely which was of course also completely which was of course also completely insane insane insane why would he mobilize his entire army why would he mobilize his entire army why would he mobilize his entire army just to come to the aid of some spoiled just to come to the aid of some spoiled just to come to the aid of some spoiled princess he had never met and that's princess he had never met and that's princess he had never met and that's when we start to notice that the farther when we start to notice that the farther when we start to notice that the farther along we get the less plausible the I am along we get the less plausible the I am along we get the less plausible the I am coming to rescue the princess story gets coming to rescue the princess story gets coming to rescue the princess story gets especially since as those of you who are especially since as those of you who are especially since as those of you who are reading ahead know Attila doesn't invade reading ahead know Attila doesn't invade reading ahead know Attila doesn't invade Italy after receiving the note from Italy after receiving the note from Italy after receiving the note from Honora no he skirts the Alps and invades Honora no he skirts the Alps and invades Honora no he skirts the Alps and invades call a nuria's plea may have made for a call a nuria's plea may have made for a call a nuria's plea may have made for a convenient pretext but clearly it wasn't convenient pretext but clearly it wasn't convenient pretext but clearly it wasn't anything more than a pretext his demand anything more than a pretext his demand anything more than a pretext his demand for half the Empire as a dowry was only for half the Empire as a dowry was only for half the Empire as a dowry was only serious in that the inevitable Roman serious in that the inevitable Roman serious in that the inevitable Roman the offer gave him a further pretext I the offer gave him a further pretext I the offer gave him a further pretext I mean hey I've just been insulted I have mean hey I've just been insulted I have mean hey I've just been insulted I have to go teach these swine a lesson you to go teach these swine a lesson you to go teach these swine a lesson you know that sort of thing so what gives know that sort of thing so what gives know that sort of thing so what gives why was it Tillis suddenly of the mind why was it Tillis suddenly of the mind why was it Tillis suddenly of the mind to invade the West as we discussed last to invade the West as we discussed last to invade the West as we discussed last week the West was both poorer in wealth week the West was both poorer in wealth week the West was both poorer in wealth and friendlier to the huns in

and friendlier to the huns in and friendlier to the huns in disposition the answer likely lies disposition the answer likely lies disposition the answer likely lies first of all in that general drive to first of all in that general drive to first of all in that general drive to expand that seems to grip any great expand that seems to grip any great expand that seems to grip any great power once you think you're invincible power once you think you're invincible power once you think you're invincible it follows that the world should be it follows that the world should be it follows that the world should be yours yours yours rich poor friend foe all should bow rich poor friend foe all should bow rich poor friend foe all should bow before you before you before you so it was expansion for expansion sake so it was expansion for expansion sake so it was expansion for expansion sake the manifest destiny of irresistible the manifest destiny of irresistible the manifest destiny of irresistible power ii was a political hole that had power ii was a political hole that had power ii was a political hole that had just opened up in gaul at that moment just opened up in gaul at that moment just opened up in gaul at that moment the Frankish king Claudio the one who the Frankish king Claudio the one who the Frankish king Claudio the one who had been beaten by ETS a couple years had been beaten by ETS a couple years had been beaten by ETS a couple years before keeled over dead in 450 and the before keeled over dead in 450 and the before keeled over dead in 450 and the question of succession to the Frankish question of succession to the Frankish question of succession to the Frankish throne was suddenly opened up ET is in throne was suddenly opened up ET is in throne was suddenly opened up ET is in the romans back Claudio's younger son the romans back Claudio's younger son the romans back Claudio's younger son the one ET has had taken hostage and the the one ET has had taken hostage and the the one ET has had taken hostage and the one ets had been subsequently adopted as one ets had been subsequently adopted as one ets had been subsequently adopted as his own son following claudio's desk his own son following claudio's desk his own son following claudio's desk attila on the other hand back claudio's attila on the other hand back claudio's attila on the other hand back claudio's elder son to fill the vacancy obviously elder son to fill the vacancy obviously elder son to fill the vacancy obviously hoping to peel the franks away from the hoping to peel the franks away from the hoping to peel the franks away from the romans and draw them in to the hun romans and draw them in to the hun romans and draw them in to the hun hegemony for the first time ever really hegemony for the first time ever really hegemony for the first time ever really dias and Attila were on opposing sides dias and Attila were on opposing sides dias and Attila were on opposing sides of an issue EDS wanted his new adopted of an issue EDS wanted his new adopted of an issue EDS wanted his new adopted son in power to ensure that the franks son in power to ensure that the franks son in power to ensure that the franks remained staunch roman allies and attila remained staunch roman allies and attila remained staunch roman allies and attila was prepared to back with arms the claim was prepared to back with arms the claim was prepared to back with arms the claim of the elder son who was promising to of the elder son who was promising to of the elder son who was promising to look east to the Huns rather than south

look east to the Huns rather than south look east to the Huns rather than south to the romans neither to the romans neither to the romans neither ET Isnora Atilla would back down but the ET Isnora Atilla would back down but the ET Isnora Atilla would back down but the question of franca succession was not question of franca succession was not question of franca succession was not the only political front Attila was the only political front Attila was the only political front Attila was working in the West he was apparently working in the West he was apparently working in the West he was apparently running some kind of multi-pronged running some kind of multi-pronged running some kind of multi-pronged offense offense offense to split everyone from everyone else to split everyone from everyone else to split everyone from everyone else probably hoping to create enough chaos probably hoping to create enough chaos probably hoping to create enough chaos that he could just waltz into Gaul on a that he could just waltz into Gaul on a that he could just waltz into Gaul on a post he sent invoice to ETS asking for post he sent invoice to ETS asking for post he sent invoice to ETS asking for an alliance because he announced he was an alliance because he announced he was an alliance because he announced he was planning to attack the Goths in planning to attack the Goths in planning to attack the Goths in Aquitaine who after all have been Aquitaine who after all have been Aquitaine who after all have been nothing but a thorn in your side for nothing but a thorn in your side for nothing but a thorn in your side for years who would you rather team up with years who would you rather team up with years who would you rather team up with some untrustworthy Goths squatting on some untrustworthy Goths squatting on some untrustworthy Goths squatting on your land or the mighty Huns who have your land or the mighty Huns who have your land or the mighty Huns who have always been there when you needed us but always been there when you needed us but always been there when you needed us but at the same time Attila was sending at the same time Attila was sending at the same time Attila was sending envoy's to the Goths essentially making envoy's to the Goths essentially making envoy's to the Goths essentially making the same argument in Reverse hey let's the same argument in Reverse hey let's the same argument in Reverse hey let's team up and drive the Romans out of Gaul team up and drive the Romans out of Gaul team up and drive the Romans out of Gaul once and for all you don't like them any once and for all you don't like them any once and for all you don't like them any more than we do and together we can be more than we do and together we can be more than we do and together we can be rid of them meanwhile he was sending a rid of them meanwhile he was sending a rid of them meanwhile he was sending a mix of threats and overtures to the mix of threats and overtures to the mix of threats and overtures to the franks trying to leverage them into the franks trying to leverage them into the franks trying to leverage them into the hun camp though this all seems very hun camp though this all seems very hun camp though this all seems very confusing and it makes it very difficult confusing and it makes it very difficult confusing and it makes it very difficult to discern atilla's true motives I think to discern atilla's true motives I think to discern atilla's true motives I think the strategy could not be clearer so the strategy could not be clearer so the strategy could not be clearer so discontent amongst the armed forces of discontent amongst the armed forces of discontent amongst the armed forces of the West so that they are unable to form the West so that they are unable to form the West so that they are unable to form a coalition against the advancing Huns a coalition against the advancing Huns a coalition against the advancing Huns and in early 4:51 the Huns began to

and in early 4:51 the Huns began to and in early 4:51 the Huns began to advance ETS are currently down in Italy advance ETS are currently down in Italy advance ETS are currently down in Italy recognize the need for a coalition as recognize the need for a coalition as recognize the need for a coalition as clearly as Attila recognized the need to clearly as Attila recognized the need to clearly as Attila recognized the need to prevent one from forming the bottom line prevent one from forming the bottom line prevent one from forming the bottom line was that if the armed peoples of Gaul was that if the armed peoples of Gaul was that if the armed peoples of Gaul did not band together to face this did not band together to face this did not band together to face this mutual enemy they were all going to be mutual enemy they were all going to be mutual enemy they were all going to be destroyed so with Attila sending out his destroyed so with Attila sending out his destroyed so with Attila sending out his contradictory invoice to everyone contradictory invoice to everyone contradictory invoice to everyone ETS sent out n voice of his own it ETS sent out n voice of his own it ETS sent out n voice of his own it simply said don't be stupid the Romans simply said don't be stupid the Romans simply said don't be stupid the Romans are not your enemy the Huns are all our are not your enemy the Huns are all our are not your enemy the Huns are all our enemy but with a mix of mixed messages enemy but with a mix of mixed messages enemy but with a mix of mixed messages floating around it was hard to know who floating around it was hard to know who floating around it was hard to know who was really your friend who was really was really your friend who was really was really your friend who was really your foe and who was strong enough to your foe and who was strong enough to your foe and who was strong enough to make it all irrelevant and so shouldn't make it all irrelevant and so shouldn't make it all irrelevant and so shouldn't we just join that side and hope for the we just join that side and hope for the we just join that side and hope for the best deal when the fighting stops unfortunately for everyone in Gaul the unfortunately for everyone in Gaul the seeds of discord sewn by Attila were in seeds of discord sewn by Attila were in seeds of discord sewn by Attila were in full bloom by the spring of 451 when the full bloom by the spring of 451 when the full bloom by the spring of 451 when the Huns crossed the Rhine River source Huns crossed the Rhine River source Huns crossed the Rhine River source material for the subsequent campaign is material for the subsequent campaign is material for the subsequent campaign is sketchy at best so it's difficult to sketchy at best so it's difficult to sketchy at best so it's difficult to discern exactly what attila did to who discern exactly what attila did to who discern exactly what attila did to who and when he did it and when he did it and when he did it everyone has him entering Roman everyone has him entering Roman everyone has him entering Roman territory along the middle Rhine but territory along the middle Rhine but territory along the middle Rhine but then it gets a little muddled did the then it gets a little muddled did the then it gets a little muddled did the Huns really beseech and sack every major Huns really beseech and sack every major Huns really beseech and sack every major city on their way to Orly on mines Trier city on their way to Orly on mines Trier city on their way to Orly on mines Trier cologne all fact maybe and I wouldn't

cologne all fact maybe and I wouldn't cologne all fact maybe and I wouldn't put it past them after their work they put it past them after their work they put it past them after their work they had done in Moishe it's the race just a had done in Moishe it's the race just a had done in Moishe it's the race just a few years before but like I say it's not few years before but like I say it's not few years before but like I say it's not at all clear we can tentatively place at all clear we can tentatively place at all clear we can tentatively place attila in Metz in northwest call on attila in Metz in northwest call on attila in Metz in northwest call on April of 7th and just so you know I've April of 7th and just so you know I've April of 7th and just so you know I've thrown some maps up on the website to thrown some maps up on the website to thrown some maps up on the website to help you work through all of this and help you work through all of this and help you work through all of this and then some position and guesswork gets then some position and guesswork gets then some position and guesswork gets him to or Lyon in the middle of June him to or Lyon in the middle of June him to or Lyon in the middle of June sources mentioned the old imperial sources mentioned the old imperial sources mentioned the old imperial capital of Trier being sacked along the capital of Trier being sacked along the capital of Trier being sacked along the way and an old legend has a detachment way and an old legend has a detachment way and an old legend has a detachment of Huns arriving at the gates of Paris of Huns arriving at the gates of Paris of Huns arriving at the gates of Paris only to be turned back by a devout only to be turned back by a devout only to be turned back by a devout Christian woman named Genevieve or more Christian woman named Genevieve or more Christian woman named Genevieve or more properly Jean DF who led the inhabitants properly Jean DF who led the inhabitants properly Jean DF who led the inhabitants of the city in a sort of prayer marathon of the city in a sort of prayer marathon of the city in a sort of prayer marathon when the Huns then retreated when the Huns then retreated when the Huns then retreated unexpectedly without so much as firing a unexpectedly without so much as firing a unexpectedly without so much as firing a shot everyone called it a miracle shot everyone called it a miracle shot everyone called it a miracle and so Genevieve became Saint Genevieve and so Genevieve became Saint Genevieve and so Genevieve became Saint Genevieve the patron saint of Paris or if you the patron saint of Paris or if you the patron saint of Paris or if you prefer Jean V as the patron saint of prefer Jean V as the patron saint of prefer Jean V as the patron saint of Pelle whatever the route and whatever Pelle whatever the route and whatever Pelle whatever the route and whatever the damage done by the Huns by mid-june the damage done by the Huns by mid-june the damage done by the Huns by mid-june they had arrived at or Leon or Leon was they had arrived at or Leon or Leon was they had arrived at or Leon or Leon was the home of a considerable garrison of the home of a considerable garrison of the home of a considerable garrison of alongs alongs alongs technically allies of Rome but who knows technically allies of Rome but who knows technically allies of Rome but who knows at this point because word on the street at this point because word on the street at this point because word on the street is that the king of the Ilan's has made is that the king of the Ilan's has made is that the king of the Ilan's has made a side deal with Attila to open the a side deal with Attila to open the a side deal with Attila to open the gates to the invaders when Attila

gates to the invaders when Attila gates to the invaders when Attila arrived and the inhabitants of the city arrived and the inhabitants of the city arrived and the inhabitants of the city learned of the learned of the learned of the they cried massive foul and shut the they cried massive foul and shut the they cried massive foul and shut the gates themselves I can't find any gates themselves I can't find any gates themselves I can't find any explanation for how the citizens of or explanation for how the citizens of or explanation for how the citizens of or Leone managed to fend off the Elan Leone managed to fend off the Elan Leone managed to fend off the Elan garrison and keep the gates shut for as garrison and keep the gates shut for as garrison and keep the gates shut for as long as they did but apparently they long as they did but apparently they long as they did but apparently they managed to hold out just long enough to managed to hold out just long enough to managed to hold out just long enough to prevent the city from being taken there prevent the city from being taken there prevent the city from being taken there was a light at the end of the tunnel for was a light at the end of the tunnel for was a light at the end of the tunnel for the people of Orly on because after two the people of Orly on because after two the people of Orly on because after two months of preparation and negotiation months of preparation and negotiation months of preparation and negotiation easiest was finally ready to make his easiest was finally ready to make his easiest was finally ready to make his move the forces he had been able to move the forces he had been able to move the forces he had been able to muster from amongst the regular Roman muster from amongst the regular Roman muster from amongst the regular Roman army were not nearly enough for him to army were not nearly enough for him to army were not nearly enough for him to take on the Huns all by himself so as I take on the Huns all by himself so as I take on the Huns all by himself so as I just said the general had been working just said the general had been working just said the general had been working seriously to convince every barbarian seriously to convince every barbarian seriously to convince every barbarian nation in Gaul large and small join him nation in Gaul large and small join him nation in Gaul large and small join him and an anti Hun Confederation initially and an anti Hun Confederation initially and an anti Hun Confederation initially the reception to ETS plea was muted at the reception to ETS plea was muted at the reception to ETS plea was muted at best but as soon became apparent that as best but as soon became apparent that as best but as soon became apparent that as the Goths went so two would go the rest the Goths went so two would go the rest the Goths went so two would go the rest of the inhabitants of Gaul basically if of the inhabitants of Gaul basically if of the inhabitants of Gaul basically if ETS could get the Goths to come fight ETS could get the Goths to come fight ETS could get the Goths to come fight than everyone else Franks Burgundians than everyone else Franks Burgundians than everyone else Franks Burgundians Ilan's whoever would join the fun but Ilan's whoever would join the fun but Ilan's whoever would join the fun but convincing the Goths was proving to be convincing the Goths was proving to be convincing the Goths was proving to be no easy task the Gothic King as you'll recall still the Gothic King as you'll recall still Theodoric after all these years was

Theodoric after all these years was Theodoric after all these years was unimpressed with ET uses army when the unimpressed with ET uses army when the unimpressed with ET uses army when the general came knocking in the late spring general came knocking in the late spring general came knocking in the late spring of 451 there were simply not enough of 451 there were simply not enough of 451 there were simply not enough Roman soldiers to make a direct assault Roman soldiers to make a direct assault Roman soldiers to make a direct assault on the Huns even with goth on the Huns even with goth on the Huns even with goth reinforcements anything but an reinforcements anything but an reinforcements anything but an incredibly risky bet Theodoric was not incredibly risky bet Theodoric was not incredibly risky bet Theodoric was not blind to the threat posed by the Huns blind to the threat posed by the Huns blind to the threat posed by the Huns he just took a hard look at the he just took a hard look at the he just took a hard look at the situation and determined that it would situation and determined that it would situation and determined that it would be better for his people to hole up in be better for his people to hole up in be better for his people to hole up in their own territory punch their forces their own territory punch their forces their own territory punch their forces together and make a stand at a time in together and make a stand at a time in together and make a stand at a time in place of their own choosing but eds was not going to take no for an but eds was not going to take no for an answer so he dispatched the hugely answer so he dispatched the hugely answer so he dispatched the hugely influential gallo-roman senator of Vitas influential gallo-roman senator of Vitas influential gallo-roman senator of Vitas to talk to Theodoric and bring the King to talk to Theodoric and bring the King to talk to Theodoric and bring the King around around around Avitus you'll remember was the one who Avitus you'll remember was the one who Avitus you'll remember was the one who had brokered the peace between the had brokered the peace between the had brokered the peace between the Romans and Goths back in 439 and who Romans and Goths back in 439 and who Romans and Goths back in 439 and who would in just a few years find himself would in just a few years find himself would in just a few years find himself elevated to the rank of Western Emperor elevated to the rank of Western Emperor elevated to the rank of Western Emperor after the death of Valentinian the third after the death of Valentinian the third after the death of Valentinian the third broke the imperial court wide open a broke the imperial court wide open a broke the imperial court wide open a Vitas had a close relationship with Vitas had a close relationship with Vitas had a close relationship with Theodoric and after much : he was able Theodoric and after much : he was able Theodoric and after much : he was able to drag the gods out of Aquitaine and to drag the gods out of Aquitaine and to drag the gods out of Aquitaine and into the field under ET as his banner into the field under ET as his banner into the field under ET as his banner with the Goths on board other barbarian with the Goths on board other barbarian with the Goths on board other barbarian groups broke the Roman Way and by the groups broke the Roman Way and by the groups broke the Roman Way and by the time Attila arrived at Orly on deist was time Attila arrived at Orly on deist was time Attila arrived at Orly on deist was leading a Confederated army to relieve leading a Confederated army to relieve leading a Confederated army to relieve the city and hopefully drive Attila the city and hopefully drive Attila the city and hopefully drive Attila out of the West hideous arrived at the

out of the West hideous arrived at the out of the West hideous arrived at the besieged city around June 15 just in besieged city around June 15 just in besieged city around June 15 just in time to save the beleaguered inhabitants time to save the beleaguered inhabitants time to save the beleaguered inhabitants attila had breached a portion of the attila had breached a portion of the attila had breached a portion of the wall and had already established a wall and had already established a wall and had already established a beachhead within the city when the news beachhead within the city when the news beachhead within the city when the news came a massive Roman army was came a massive Roman army was came a massive Roman army was approaching unfortunately we don't approaching unfortunately we don't approaching unfortunately we don't really have any idea just how big this really have any idea just how big this really have any idea just how big this army was nor do we have any real idea army was nor do we have any real idea army was nor do we have any real idea how big a Tiller's army was and it how big a Tiller's army was and it how big a Tiller's army was and it really doesn't help at all we have to go really doesn't help at all we have to go really doesn't help at all we have to go on our insanely inflated reports like on our insanely inflated reports like on our insanely inflated reports like Attila was leading an army 500 thousand Attila was leading an army 500 thousand Attila was leading an army 500 thousand strong most of what I've read puts the strong most of what I've read puts the strong most of what I've read puts the opposing side somewhere between fifty opposing side somewhere between fifty opposing side somewhere between fifty and seventy five thousand men apiece and seventy five thousand men apiece and seventy five thousand men apiece which sounds much closer to the truth which sounds much closer to the truth which sounds much closer to the truth and which still makes the coming and which still makes the coming and which still makes the coming showdown one of the largest battles in showdown one of the largest battles in showdown one of the largest battles in Late Antiquity the forces arrayed at the Late Antiquity the forces arrayed at the Late Antiquity the forces arrayed at the Battle of Adrianople for example were at Battle of Adrianople for example were at Battle of Adrianople for example were at most 25 to 30 thousand aside with the most 25 to 30 thousand aside with the most 25 to 30 thousand aside with the minimum thought to be maybe just fifteen minimum thought to be maybe just fifteen minimum thought to be maybe just fifteen thousand a piece so while we are not thousand a piece so while we are not thousand a piece so while we are not about to see a million men squaring off about to see a million men squaring off about to see a million men squaring off against each other in battle against each other in battle against each other in battle we are talking about maybe a hundred to we are talking about maybe a hundred to we are talking about maybe a hundred to one hundred and fifty thousand which is one hundred and fifty thousand which is one hundred and fifty thousand which is pretty enormous especially given the age caught in the middle of the siege caught in the middle of the siege operation attila decided to withdraw and operation attila decided to withdraw and operation attila decided to withdraw and regroup regroup regroup rather than immediately turn to fight rather than immediately turn to fight rather than immediately turn to fight ETS the Roman Confederation ETS the Roman Confederation ETS the Roman Confederation trail behind east for an indeterminate trail behind east for an indeterminate trail behind east for an indeterminate number of days until Attila landed on a

number of days until Attila landed on a number of days until Attila landed on a spot he thought would be favorable spot he thought would be favorable spot he thought would be favorable ground for a battle the Catalonian ground for a battle the Catalonian ground for a battle the Catalonian fields though the site of the battle has fields though the site of the battle has fields though the site of the battle has never been firmly identified it was never been firmly identified it was never been firmly identified it was somewhere in the champagne-ardenne somewhere in the champagne-ardenne somewhere in the champagne-ardenne region the two armies lined up in late region the two armies lined up in late region the two armies lined up in late June and proceeded to launch a June and proceeded to launch a June and proceeded to launch a full-scale assault on one another with full-scale assault on one another with full-scale assault on one another with no quarter asked or given the details of no quarter asked or given the details of no quarter asked or given the details of the battle are just as confusing about the battle are just as confusing about the battle are just as confusing about every other detail of the Hun invasion every other detail of the Hun invasion every other detail of the Hun invasion of 451 our principle source for all this of 451 our principle source for all this of 451 our principle source for all this is a sixth century Byzantine historian is a sixth century Byzantine historian is a sixth century Byzantine historian named Jordana's who was by his own named Jordana's who was by his own named Jordana's who was by his own admission summarizing the work of an admission summarizing the work of an admission summarizing the work of an earlier 6th century Italian historian in earlier 6th century Italian historian in earlier 6th century Italian historian in cassia doris so no one anywhere near the cassia doris so no one anywhere near the cassia doris so no one anywhere near the actual battle itself jordana says that actual battle itself jordana says that actual battle itself jordana says that quote the battlefield was a plain rising quote the battlefield was a plain rising quote the battlefield was a plain rising by a sharp slope which both armies by a sharp slope which both armies by a sharp slope which both armies sought to gain the Huns with their sought to gain the Huns with their sought to gain the Huns with their forces seized the right side the Romans forces seized the right side the Romans forces seized the right side the Romans Visigoths and their allies on the left Visigoths and their allies on the left Visigoths and their allies on the left the battle line of the Huns was so the battle line of the Huns was so the battle line of the Huns was so arranged that Attila and his bravest arranged that Attila and his bravest arranged that Attila and his bravest followers were in the center he then followers were in the center he then followers were in the center he then goes on to describe how this ridge line goes on to describe how this ridge line goes on to describe how this ridge line became the center of the fighting except became the center of the fighting except became the center of the fighting except I'm kind of having a hard time picturing I'm kind of having a hard time picturing I'm kind of having a hard time picturing it was the ridge line in between the two it was the ridge line in between the two it was the ridge line in between the two armies running parallel to their front armies running parallel to their front armies running parallel to their front lines or was it off to one side running lines or was it off to one side running lines or was it off to one side running perpendicular so that only a wing of

perpendicular so that only a wing of perpendicular so that only a wing of each side was involved in the fighting each side was involved in the fighting each side was involved in the fighting to take the high ground and frankly left to take the high ground and frankly left to take the high ground and frankly left and right of what can a brother get some and right of what can a brother get some and right of what can a brother get some cardinal points if anyone can help cardinal points if anyone can help cardinal points if anyone can help straighten this out for me it would be straighten this out for me it would be straighten this out for me it would be very much appreciated I've got another very much appreciated I've got another very much appreciated I've got another map up that looks like the elusive map up that looks like the elusive map up that looks like the elusive Ridgeline was off to one side but I Ridgeline was off to one side but I Ridgeline was off to one side but I don't really know and frankly but I'm don't really know and frankly but I'm don't really know and frankly but I'm not sure Jordan s does either anyway the not sure Jordan s does either anyway the not sure Jordan s does either anyway the story then goes that the Roman goth story then goes that the Roman goth story then goes that the Roman goth forces reach the high ground first and forces reach the high ground first and forces reach the high ground first and managed to repel all hunt attempts to managed to repel all hunt attempts to managed to repel all hunt attempts to take it the Goths who take it the Goths who take it the Goths who on the right then managed to break on the right then managed to break on the right then managed to break through and send the Hun left into an through and send the Hun left into an through and send the Hun left into an unexpected retreat as great as this unexpected retreat as great as this unexpected retreat as great as this punch-through was though it came at a punch-through was though it came at a punch-through was though it came at a heavy price to the gods as Theodoric was heavy price to the gods as Theodoric was heavy price to the gods as Theodoric was killed in the midst of the final push killed in the midst of the final push killed in the midst of the final push the loss of the king was a small price the loss of the king was a small price the loss of the king was a small price to pay the Huns had tasted defeat and to pay the Huns had tasted defeat and to pay the Huns had tasted defeat and were now on the run the Roman goth a were now on the run the Roman goth a were now on the run the Roman goth a tall Confederation had beaten the tall Confederation had beaten the tall Confederation had beaten the invincible Huns but while this victory was sweet it was but while this victory was sweet it was not decisive the Huns had pulled back not decisive the Huns had pulled back not decisive the Huns had pulled back but they were not broken but they were not broken but they were not broken sure Attila was pretty despondent in sure Attila was pretty despondent in sure Attila was pretty despondent in that night in the fortified hun camp that night in the fortified hun camp that night in the fortified hun camp going so far as to begin construction of going so far as to begin construction of going so far as to begin construction of his own funeral pyre out of shame until his own funeral pyre out of shame until his own funeral pyre out of shame until his captains pointed out that the hun his captains pointed out that the hun his captains pointed out that the hun army was still mostly intact their loss

army was still mostly intact their loss army was still mostly intact their loss is manageable and the Romans only is manageable and the Romans only is manageable and the Romans only marginally better off the Battle of the marginally better off the Battle of the marginally better off the Battle of the Catalonian fields was a setback but it Catalonian fields was a setback but it Catalonian fields was a setback but it wasn't the end of anything so buck up wasn't the end of anything so buck up wasn't the end of anything so buck up Attila the hare you go why don't you Attila the hare you go why don't you Attila the hare you go why don't you have some nice blood wine we have some have some nice blood wine we have some have some nice blood wine we have some 2309 best in the Empire Attila was fully 2309 best in the Empire Attila was fully 2309 best in the Empire Attila was fully recovered by the next day and as his recovered by the next day and as his recovered by the next day and as his captain's promised the defeat was merely captain's promised the defeat was merely captain's promised the defeat was merely a setback but that said the aura of hun a setback but that said the aura of hun a setback but that said the aura of hun invincibility had definitely been invincibility had definitely been invincibility had definitely been shattered both among the Romans and the shattered both among the Romans and the shattered both among the Romans and the Huns themselves for the next few days Huns themselves for the next few days Huns themselves for the next few days the two armies stared each other down the two armies stared each other down the two armies stared each other down and waited for the other to make a move and waited for the other to make a move and waited for the other to make a move finally attila decided that it just finally attila decided that it just finally attila decided that it just wasn't worth it his supply lines were wasn't worth it his supply lines were wasn't worth it his supply lines were drawn out like crazy feeding his people drawn out like crazy feeding his people drawn out like crazy feeding his people was a major concern and with eat he is was a major concern and with eat he is was a major concern and with eat he is riding high and breathing down his neck riding high and breathing down his neck riding high and breathing down his neck the Huns weren't going to be able to the Huns weren't going to be able to the Huns weren't going to be able to scatter and forage the way they needed scatter and forage the way they needed scatter and forage the way they needed to to keep up the campaign so Attila to to keep up the campaign so Attila to to keep up the campaign so Attila began a slow retreat out of Gaul as soon began a slow retreat out of Gaul as soon began a slow retreat out of Gaul as soon as the Huns began to move east the ties as the Huns began to move east the ties as the Huns began to move east the ties that had bound eg is's confederation that had bound eg is's confederation that had bound eg is's confederation began to fray the Goths were now minus began to fray the Goths were now minus began to fray the Goths were now minus one King and Theodoric son one King and Theodoric son one King and Theodoric son or ISM and asked ETS if as people could or ISM and asked ETS if as people could or ISM and asked ETS if as people could return to their homes and settle the return to their homes and settle the return to their homes and settle the question of succession easiest was of question of succession easiest was of question of succession easiest was of course nervous about such a huge chunk course nervous about such a huge chunk course nervous about such a huge chunk of his army breaking off but I've also

of his army breaking off but I've also of his army breaking off but I've also seen it hinted but he actively seen it hinted but he actively seen it hinted but he actively encouraged Thoris Minh to head home encouraged Thoris Minh to head home encouraged Thoris Minh to head home because that way because that way because that way ETS wouldn't have to share the extensive ETS wouldn't have to share the extensive ETS wouldn't have to share the extensive spoils captured from the Huns though the spoils captured from the Huns though the spoils captured from the Huns though the Roman army was now far weaker the Huns Roman army was now far weaker the Huns Roman army was now far weaker the Huns made no move to retake the offensive and made no move to retake the offensive and made no move to retake the offensive and for his part for his part for his part ETS was not crazy enough to make any ETS was not crazy enough to make any ETS was not crazy enough to make any move that might rile up the Huns as long move that might rile up the Huns as long move that might rile up the Huns as long as they kept moving east the retreat was as they kept moving east the retreat was as they kept moving east the retreat was not a pretty one for the people not a pretty one for the people not a pretty one for the people inhabiting the lands until it passed inhabiting the lands until it passed inhabiting the lands until it passed through but there was little ets could through but there was little ets could through but there was little ets could do about that and even if he could have do about that and even if he could have do about that and even if he could have he might still have been fine with the he might still have been fine with the he might still have been fine with the Huns blowing off some steam after all he Huns blowing off some steam after all he Huns blowing off some steam after all he had to keep his eye on the ball the Huns had to keep his eye on the ball the Huns had to keep his eye on the ball the Huns were leaving don't screw that up because were leaving don't screw that up because were leaving don't screw that up because if you had presented this scenario to if you had presented this scenario to if you had presented this scenario to eat he is just a month before that is eat he is just a month before that is eat he is just a month before that is the Huns retreating and the Roman army the Huns retreating and the Roman army the Huns retreating and the Roman army still in one piece he likely would have still in one piece he likely would have still in one piece he likely would have scoffed at your pie-in-the-sky scoffed at your pie-in-the-sky scoffed at your pie-in-the-sky fantasizing so though it was a slow and fantasizing so though it was a slow and fantasizing so though it was a slow and destructive retreat the Huns were destructive retreat the Huns were destructive retreat the Huns were engaged in it was a retreat and ETS engaged in it was a retreat and ETS engaged in it was a retreat and ETS wasn't going to risk the big picture wasn't going to risk the big picture wasn't going to risk the big picture victory by trying to hurry victory by trying to hurry victory by trying to hurry Attila along I don't know how long the Attila along I don't know how long the Attila along I don't know how long the withdrawal ultimately took what I withdrawal ultimately took what I withdrawal ultimately took what I imagine the Huns were back across the imagine the Huns were back across the imagine the Huns were back across the Rhine by early fall and back on the Rhine by early fall and back on the Rhine by early fall and back on the Hungarian plain by winter I also imagine

Hungarian plain by winter I also imagine Hungarian plain by winter I also imagine Attila spent that winter brooding and Attila spent that winter brooding and Attila spent that winter brooding and brooding and brooding by the spring of brooding and brooding by the spring of brooding and brooding by the spring of 452 Attila had pretty well worked 452 Attila had pretty well worked 452 Attila had pretty well worked himself up into a vengeful fury and was himself up into a vengeful fury and was himself up into a vengeful fury and was more than ready to go show the West just more than ready to go show the West just more than ready to go show the West just how not defeated the Huns really were how not defeated the Huns really were how not defeated the Huns really were but this time rather than swinging into but this time rather than swinging into but this time rather than swinging into Gaul attila drove straight for the heart Gaul attila drove straight for the heart Gaul attila drove straight for the heart of the western empire the Huns crossed of the western empire the Huns crossed of the western empire the Huns crossed the Alps and poured uncheck the Alps and poured uncheck the Alps and poured uncheck into the Po Valley ready for some into the Po Valley ready for some into the Po Valley ready for some serious ravaging the first city they hit serious ravaging the first city they hit serious ravaging the first city they hit of course was Aquileia which had so of course was Aquileia which had so of course was Aquileia which had so often repulsed the would-be Ravagers of often repulsed the would-be Ravagers of often repulsed the would-be Ravagers of Italy but as we've discussed the Huns Italy but as we've discussed the Huns Italy but as we've discussed the Huns are different the fortifications back are different the fortifications back are different the fortifications back Wilaya were crushed and the Huns broke Wilaya were crushed and the Huns broke Wilaya were crushed and the Huns broke into the city in short order not content into the city in short order not content into the city in short order not content with simply sacking Aquileia the Huns with simply sacking Aquileia the Huns with simply sacking Aquileia the Huns proceeded to smash and smash and burn proceeded to smash and smash and burn proceeded to smash and smash and burn and smash until the city was reduced to and smash until the city was reduced to and smash until the city was reduced to its foundations really to the point its foundations really to the point its foundations really to the point where the great fortified city was a where the great fortified city was a where the great fortified city was a practically unrecognizable pile of practically unrecognizable pile of practically unrecognizable pile of rubble though another city named rubble though another city named rubble though another city named Aquileia would eventually grow up on the Aquileia would eventually grow up on the Aquileia would eventually grow up on the site of the old city for all intents and site of the old city for all intents and site of the old city for all intents and purposes the Aquileia we've been talking purposes the Aquileia we've been talking purposes the Aquileia we've been talking about for the last few hundred years as about for the last few hundred years as about for the last few hundred years as the focal point of so many invasions and the focal point of so many invasions and the focal point of so many invasions and defenses of Italy is gone an interesting

defenses of Italy is gone an interesting defenses of Italy is gone an interesting upshot of this destruction though was upshot of this destruction though was upshot of this destruction though was that the inhabitants of the city fled that the inhabitants of the city fled that the inhabitants of the city fled into the marshes of the coastline into the marshes of the coastline into the marshes of the coastline leading some scholars to reckon but a leading some scholars to reckon but a leading some scholars to reckon but a good chunk of them wound up forming a good chunk of them wound up forming a good chunk of them wound up forming a community on some islands in a lagoon community on some islands in a lagoon community on some islands in a lagoon establishing the core of the modern city establishing the core of the modern city establishing the core of the modern city of Venice the destruction of Aquileia of Venice the destruction of Aquileia of Venice the destruction of Aquileia sent shockwaves through the empire and sent shockwaves through the empire and sent shockwaves through the empire and put the fear of God into Valentini in put the fear of God into Valentini in put the fear of God into Valentini in the third suddenly the swamp surrounding the third suddenly the swamp surrounding the third suddenly the swamp surrounding Ravenna no longer seemed so impenetrable Ravenna no longer seemed so impenetrable Ravenna no longer seemed so impenetrable so the Emperor and his court packed so the Emperor and his court packed so the Emperor and his court packed their bags as quickly as they could and their bags as quickly as they could and their bags as quickly as they could and fled south to realm the aurelion walls fled south to realm the aurelion walls fled south to realm the aurelion walls were still a thing to behold maybe they were still a thing to behold maybe they were still a thing to behold maybe they would prove to be as effective as the would prove to be as effective as the would prove to be as effective as the adoshem walls had been protecting adoshem walls had been protecting adoshem walls had been protecting Constantinople Valentinian could only Constantinople Valentinian could only Constantinople Valentinian could only hope and pray because it didn't look hope and pray because it didn't look hope and pray because it didn't look like there was much else that was going like there was much else that was going like there was much else that was going to stop the Huns with attila on the to stop the Huns with attila on the to stop the Huns with attila on the loose in italy dias was unable to raise loose in italy dias was unable to raise loose in italy dias was unable to raise the same sort of sense of camaraderie the same sort of sense of camaraderie the same sort of sense of camaraderie with the Barbarian nations of gaul as with the Barbarian nations of gaul as with the Barbarian nations of gaul as he'd been able to the year before when he'd been able to the year before when he'd been able to the year before when their homes were directly threatened and their homes were directly threatened and their homes were directly threatened and so all he had at his disposal this so all he had at his disposal this so all he had at his disposal this or the ultimately inadequate regular or the ultimately inadequate regular or the ultimately inadequate regular Roman forces next week Eadie's will do Roman forces next week Eadie's will do Roman forces next week Eadie's will do his best to harass the hums as Attila his best to harass the hums as Attila his best to harass the hums as Attila marched from one conquest to the next in marched from one conquest to the next in marched from one conquest to the next in northern Italy but though he was reduced northern Italy but though he was reduced northern Italy but though he was reduced to essentially waging a guerrilla to essentially waging a guerrilla to essentially waging a guerrilla campaign against Attila supply lines he

campaign against Attila supply lines he campaign against Attila supply lines he has proved himself no less capable than has proved himself no less capable than has proved himself no less capable than when he was leading mighty armies and when he was leading mighty armies and when he was leading mighty armies and set-piece battles and though it was set-piece battles and though it was set-piece battles and though it was almost certainly a combination of supply almost certainly a combination of supply almost certainly a combination of supply issues disease and bribery that finally issues disease and bribery that finally issues disease and bribery that finally led to a Tillis withdrawal from Italy I led to a Tillis withdrawal from Italy I led to a Tillis withdrawal from Italy I would hate to draw the ire of the would hate to draw the ire of the would hate to draw the ire of the Catholic High Command by not pointing Catholic High Command by not pointing Catholic High Command by not pointing most especially to the Embassy of Pope most especially to the Embassy of Pope most especially to the Embassy of Pope Leo the Great who single-handedly Leo the Great who single-handedly Leo the Great who single-handedly convinced the Huns to spare Rome and convinced the Huns to spare Rome and convinced the Huns to spare Rome and withdraw from the peninsula withdraw from the peninsula withdraw from the peninsula [Music] [Music] [Music] you [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 173 the broken bow after laying episode 173 the broken bow after laying episode 173 the broken bow after laying waste to aquileia in the spring of 452 waste to aquileia in the spring of 452 waste to aquileia in the spring of 452 Attila and the Huns moved west across Attila and the Huns moved west across Attila and the Huns moved west across northern Italy sacking every settlement northern Italy sacking every settlement northern Italy sacking every settlement they passed along the way though the they passed along the way though the they passed along the way though the imperial capital had moved to Ravenna 40 imperial capital had moved to Ravenna 40 imperial capital had moved to Ravenna 40 years earlier the city of Milan remained

years earlier the city of Milan remained years earlier the city of Milan remained the richest largest and most powerful the richest largest and most powerful the richest largest and most powerful city in the region and that's exactly city in the region and that's exactly city in the region and that's exactly where Attila was headed ETS and what where Attila was headed ETS and what where Attila was headed ETS and what forces he was able to muster gamely forces he was able to muster gamely forces he was able to muster gamely tried to harass hinder and trip up the tried to harass hinder and trip up the tried to harass hinder and trip up the hunted vamps but there was only so much hunted vamps but there was only so much hunted vamps but there was only so much they could do though they made atilla's they could do though they made atilla's they could do though they made atilla's life difficult and in time the constant life difficult and in time the constant life difficult and in time the constant harassment would wear the hums down but harassment would wear the hums down but harassment would wear the hums down but it was not enough to stop the Huns from it was not enough to stop the Huns from it was not enough to stop the Huns from reaching Milan the former Capitals reaching Milan the former Capitals reaching Milan the former Capitals defenses were impressive but once again defenses were impressive but once again defenses were impressive but once again insufficient to hold off Attila the only insufficient to hold off Attila the only insufficient to hold off Attila the only feather in the city's cap was that it feather in the city's cap was that it feather in the city's cap was that it held out long enough for the siege to held out long enough for the siege to held out long enough for the siege to become called become called become called a protracted siege but in due time the a protracted siege but in due time the a protracted siege but in due time the Huns once again prevailed and Milan was Huns once again prevailed and Milan was Huns once again prevailed and Milan was sacked down in Rome a Valentinian and sacked down in Rome a Valentinian and sacked down in Rome a Valentinian and his exiled court could do little more his exiled court could do little more his exiled court could do little more than tremble behind the aurelion walls than tremble behind the aurelion walls than tremble behind the aurelion walls it was clear that no army or wall was it was clear that no army or wall was it was clear that no army or wall was going to stop until as inevitable march going to stop until as inevitable march going to stop until as inevitable march on Rome so maybe it was time for some on Rome so maybe it was time for some on Rome so maybe it was time for some good old-fashioned high diplomacy it was good old-fashioned high diplomacy it was good old-fashioned high diplomacy it was worth a shot it's not like they had worth a shot it's not like they had worth a shot it's not like they had anything to lose anything to lose anything to lose so deputation of a few distinguished so deputation of a few distinguished so deputation of a few distinguished senators was sent north famously led by senators was sent north famously led by senators was sent north famously led by the Bishop of Rome Leo the first the the Bishop of Rome Leo the first the the Bishop of Rome Leo the first the diplomatic mission traveled north diplomatic mission traveled north diplomatic mission traveled north crossed the Po River and located the crossed the Po River and located the crossed the Po River and located the hunt camp what happened next is the

hunt camp what happened next is the hunt camp what happened next is the stuff of legend Attila met with Leo stuff of legend Attila met with Leo stuff of legend Attila met with Leo heard what he had to say and then heard what he had to say and then heard what he had to say and then amazing wondrous miracle of miracles amazing wondrous miracle of miracles amazing wondrous miracle of miracles sided to withdraw from Italy this sided to withdraw from Italy this sided to withdraw from Italy this immediately became a watershed moment in immediately became a watershed moment in immediately became a watershed moment in the history of the Catholic Church and a the history of the Catholic Church and a the history of the Catholic Church and a key step in the process that saw the key step in the process that saw the key step in the process that saw the Pope's emerge as dominant political Pope's emerge as dominant political Pope's emerge as dominant political figures in the post Imperial West now figures in the post Imperial West now figures in the post Imperial West now this is not to take anything away from this is not to take anything away from this is not to take anything away from Leo or to ignore the guts it must have Leo or to ignore the guts it must have Leo or to ignore the guts it must have taken to walk up to a Atilla unarmed and taken to walk up to a Atilla unarmed and taken to walk up to a Atilla unarmed and ask him to please leave Italy but it was ask him to please leave Italy but it was ask him to please leave Italy but it was going to take a lot more than the going to take a lot more than the going to take a lot more than the request of a single priest to move a request of a single priest to move a request of a single priest to move a tiller so what was it the Huns had just tiller so what was it the Huns had just tiller so what was it the Huns had just run roughshod over all of northern Italy run roughshod over all of northern Italy run roughshod over all of northern Italy nothing could stop them nothing could stop them nothing could stop them so why were they pulling back if it so why were they pulling back if it so why were they pulling back if it wasn't the personal diplomacy of Leo wasn't the personal diplomacy of Leo wasn't the personal diplomacy of Leo then what was it then what was it then what was it a few things immediately come to the a few things immediately come to the a few things immediately come to the surface first of all surface first of all surface first of all Leo's words were almost certainly backed Leo's words were almost certainly backed Leo's words were almost certainly backed with a large quantity of gold which will with a large quantity of gold which will with a large quantity of gold which will get anyone interested in listening to get anyone interested in listening to get anyone interested in listening to what you have to say second as had been what you have to say second as had been what you have to say second as had been the case with the campaign in Gaul the case with the campaign in Gaul the case with the campaign in Gaul Attila was having trouble feeding his Attila was having trouble feeding his Attila was having trouble feeding his army the Huns did not have the kind of army the Huns did not have the kind of army the Huns did not have the kind of supply network the Romans enjoyed and supply network the Romans enjoyed and supply network the Romans enjoyed and instead lived off the land as they moved instead lived off the land as they moved instead lived off the land as they moved from place to place but in 452 Italy was

from place to place but in 452 Italy was from place to place but in 452 Italy was suffering from a famine there was just suffering from a famine there was just suffering from a famine there was just very little food to be had very little food to be had very little food to be had third the Huns were victims of their own third the Huns were victims of their own third the Huns were victims of their own success success success sacking City after City had left them sacking City after City had left them sacking City after City had left them laden with treasure and far less mobile laden with treasure and far less mobile laden with treasure and far less mobile than they had been at the beginning of than they had been at the beginning of than they had been at the beginning of the year in other words they needed to the year in other words they needed to the year in other words they needed to go home and make a deposit forth go home and make a deposit forth go home and make a deposit forth according to reports the new Eastern according to reports the new Eastern according to reports the new Eastern Emperor Marcion was taking advantage of Emperor Marcion was taking advantage of Emperor Marcion was taking advantage of atilla's absence and launching raids atilla's absence and launching raids atilla's absence and launching raids north of the Danube so just as the north of the Danube so just as the north of the Danube so just as the campaign in Italy was starting to bog campaign in Italy was starting to bog campaign in Italy was starting to bog down reports started coming in to the down reports started coming in to the down reports started coming in to the Huns Huns Huns that their families were under attack that their families were under attack that their families were under attack and that's not something that you can and that's not something that you can and that's not something that you can just ignore fifth and this one was just ignore fifth and this one was just ignore fifth and this one was probably the decisive factor probably the decisive factor probably the decisive factor disease had begun to sweep through the disease had begun to sweep through the disease had begun to sweep through the Hun camps the old historians described Hun camps the old historians described Hun camps the old historians described it as a divinely ordered blight to it as a divinely ordered blight to it as a divinely ordered blight to punish Attila for his transgressions but punish Attila for his transgressions but punish Attila for his transgressions but whatever it was it was quickly thinning whatever it was it was quickly thinning whatever it was it was quickly thinning the Hun ranks you add all this up and the Hun ranks you add all this up and the Hun ranks you add all this up and you get a honking ready to consolidate you get a honking ready to consolidate you get a honking ready to consolidate his gains and mitigate his losses his gains and mitigate his losses his gains and mitigate his losses so before winter set in Attila withdrew so before winter set in Attila withdrew so before winter set in Attila withdrew back to his homeland north of the Danube back to his homeland north of the Danube back to his homeland north of the Danube River he would never return to the West River he would never return to the West River he would never return to the West in early 4:53 Attila had already decided in early 4:53 Attila had already decided in early 4:53 Attila had already decided that as soon as spring arrived he was that as soon as spring arrived he was that as soon as spring arrived he was going to turn his attention back to the going to turn his attention back to the going to turn his attention back to the east while the Huns had been occupied in

east while the Huns had been occupied in east while the Huns had been occupied in the West the West the West Constantinople had decided to make Constantinople had decided to make Constantinople had decided to make another play at cutting off the another play at cutting off the another play at cutting off the indemnity payments that coupled with indemnity payments that coupled with indemnity payments that coupled with Martians attacks during 452 equaled a Martians attacks during 452 equaled a Martians attacks during 452 equaled a guaranteed hun invasion of the East in guaranteed hun invasion of the East in guaranteed hun invasion of the East in 453 maybe this time they could crack 453 maybe this time they could crack 453 maybe this time they could crack those Theodosia walls but Attila would those Theodosia walls but Attila would those Theodosia walls but Attila would never get the chance Marcion was himself preparing for the Marcion was himself preparing for the inevitable confrontation with Attila inevitable confrontation with Attila inevitable confrontation with Attila when according to legend he dreamed that when according to legend he dreamed that when according to legend he dreamed that he saw a Tillis bow broken at his feet he saw a Tillis bow broken at his feet he saw a Tillis bow broken at his feet less than a week later messengers less than a week later messengers less than a week later messengers arrived with the stunning news Attila arrived with the stunning news Attila arrived with the stunning news Attila the Hun was dead there is absolutely no the Hun was dead there is absolutely no the Hun was dead there is absolutely no reliable account of his death but two reliable account of his death but two reliable account of his death but two standard versions exist standard versions exist standard versions exist the first is offered by the the first is offered by the the first is offered by the contemporaneous Greek historian Priscus contemporaneous Greek historian Priscus contemporaneous Greek historian Priscus who reports that Attila got blind drunk who reports that Attila got blind drunk who reports that Attila got blind drunk while celebrating his latest marriage while celebrating his latest marriage while celebrating his latest marriage and then choked to death in his sleep and then choked to death in his sleep and then choked to death in his sleep the other more scandalous account is the other more scandalous account is the other more scandalous account is that he was actually murdered by his new that he was actually murdered by his new that he was actually murdered by his new bride on their wedding night an even bride on their wedding night an even bride on their wedding night an even more scandalous account is that Attila more scandalous account is that Attila more scandalous account is that Attila was assassinated at the order of Martian was assassinated at the order of Martian was assassinated at the order of Martian who obviously wanted no part of facing who obviously wanted no part of facing who obviously wanted no part of facing Attila in the field however he died Attila in the field however he died Attila in the field however he died Attila the Hun the so-called scourge of Attila the Hun the so-called scourge of Attila the Hun the so-called scourge of God was dead God was dead God was dead and the Roman world slept a little

and the Roman world slept a little and the Roman world slept a little easier with the sword of damocles no easier with the sword of damocles no easier with the sword of damocles no longer hanging directly over their heads longer hanging directly over their heads longer hanging directly over their heads the Imperial courts of East and West the Imperial courts of East and West the Imperial courts of East and West were able to step out into the light were able to step out into the light were able to step out into the light survey the damage attila had wrought and survey the damage attila had wrought and survey the damage attila had wrought and maybe entertain the idea of planning for maybe entertain the idea of planning for maybe entertain the idea of planning for the future again rather than simply the future again rather than simply the future again rather than simply trying to react to the present but trying to react to the present but trying to react to the present but though no one could have known it though no one could have known it though no one could have known it atilla's would not be the only momentous atilla's would not be the only momentous atilla's would not be the only momentous death to hit the Empire in the early death to hit the Empire in the early death to hit the Empire in the early 450s in just a few short years the men 450s in just a few short years the men 450s in just a few short years the men and women who had led Rome for the last and women who had led Rome for the last and women who had led Rome for the last generation would all be gone replaced by generation would all be gone replaced by generation would all be gone replaced by a new slate of leaders who for better a new slate of leaders who for better a new slate of leaders who for better for worse would lead Rome for the next for worse would lead Rome for the next for worse would lead Rome for the next generation now I already accidentally blew by the now I already accidentally blew by the first momentous death of the early 450s first momentous death of the early 450s first momentous death of the early 450s because I got a little too caught up in because I got a little too caught up in because I got a little too caught up in a Tellez invasion of Gaul but in October a Tellez invasion of Gaul but in October a Tellez invasion of Gaul but in October of 450 just a few months after arranging of 450 just a few months after arranging of 450 just a few months after arranging the fateful marriage between her the fateful marriage between her the fateful marriage between her daughter anuria and boring old senator daughter anuria and boring old senator daughter anuria and boring old senator Hercules the great matron of the West Hercules the great matron of the West Hercules the great matron of the West Galla Placidia died given how long she Galla Placidia died given how long she Galla Placidia died given how long she was a central figure in Western politics was a central figure in Western politics was a central figure in Western politics I mean she first rose to prominence back I mean she first rose to prominence back I mean she first rose to prominence back when she was kidnapped by Alaric during when she was kidnapped by Alaric during when she was kidnapped by Alaric during the first sack of Rome which was what the first sack of Rome which was what the first sack of Rome which was what like 40 years ago it is kind of shocking like 40 years ago it is kind of shocking like 40 years ago it is kind of shocking to think that Placidia was just 58 years to think that Placidia was just 58 years to think that Placidia was just 58 years old when she died not a young woman by

old when she died not a young woman by old when she died not a young woman by any means but certainly not some ancient any means but certainly not some ancient any means but certainly not some ancient relic she had been the wife of a gothic relic she had been the wife of a gothic relic she had been the wife of a gothic King and given birth to a boy who might King and given birth to a boy who might King and given birth to a boy who might have led the Goths and Romans into have led the Goths and Romans into have led the Goths and Romans into becoming a single people she was the becoming a single people she was the becoming a single people she was the daughter of an emperor the brother of an daughter of an emperor the brother of an daughter of an emperor the brother of an emperor the wife of an emperor and the emperor the wife of an emperor and the emperor the wife of an emperor and the mother of an emperor intelligent and mother of an emperor intelligent and mother of an emperor intelligent and self-confident she herself had served self-confident she herself had served self-confident she herself had served his region of the west for some 14 years his region of the west for some 14 years his region of the west for some 14 years and though the Ascension of her rival and though the Ascension of her rival and though the Ascension of her rival ETS had curtailed some of her influence ETS had curtailed some of her influence ETS had curtailed some of her influence Galla Placidia remained a towering Galla Placidia remained a towering Galla Placidia remained a towering figure until the moment of her death in figure until the moment of her death in figure until the moment of her death in late 450 a remarkable one late 450 a remarkable one late 450 a remarkable one to be sure three years later the next to be sure three years later the next to be sure three years later the next great Imperial death hit has Placidia x' great Imperial death hit has Placidia x' great Imperial death hit has Placidia x' counterpart in the east counterpart in the east counterpart in the east Elia pool cheerio died at the age of 55 Elia pool cheerio died at the age of 55 Elia pool cheerio died at the age of 55 when you get right down to it for these when you get right down to it for these when you get right down to it for these two women Placidia and Bulgarian perhaps two women Placidia and Bulgarian perhaps two women Placidia and Bulgarian perhaps define the first half of the fifth define the first half of the fifth define the first half of the fifth century better than any Emperor king or century better than any Emperor king or century better than any Emperor king or general well cheriya daughter sister and general well cheriya daughter sister and general well cheriya daughter sister and wife of successive emperors had strode wife of successive emperors had strode wife of successive emperors had strode boldly onto the stage of world history boldly onto the stage of world history boldly onto the stage of world history at the tender age of 14 asserting her at the tender age of 14 asserting her at the tender age of 14 asserting her authority over the eastern empire authority over the eastern empire authority over the eastern empire challenging and then besting God knows challenging and then besting God knows challenging and then besting God knows how many ministers and generals who were how many ministers and generals who were how many ministers and generals who were getting ready to have their way with the getting ready to have their way with the getting ready to have their way with the underaged Theodosius the second though

underaged Theodosius the second though underaged Theodosius the second though we didn't get too much into it as an we didn't get too much into it as an we didn't get too much into it as an utterly devout Orthodox Christian Cheria utterly devout Orthodox Christian Cheria utterly devout Orthodox Christian Cheria was responsible for building up entire was responsible for building up entire was responsible for building up entire quarters of Constantinople dedicated to quarters of Constantinople dedicated to quarters of Constantinople dedicated to housing and servicing the poor though housing and servicing the poor though housing and servicing the poor though her religious devotion also led her to her religious devotion also led her to her religious devotion also led her to promote far less laudatory persecutions promote far less laudatory persecutions promote far less laudatory persecutions of pagans and Jews for 40 years bulgaria of pagans and Jews for 40 years bulgaria of pagans and Jews for 40 years bulgaria stood at the center of the imperial stood at the center of the imperial stood at the center of the imperial court of constantinople acting as a rock court of constantinople acting as a rock court of constantinople acting as a rock of continuity as the ministers and of continuity as the ministers and of continuity as the ministers and Generals of the east came and went and Generals of the east came and went and Generals of the east came and went and in her last great act she stepped into in her last great act she stepped into in her last great act she stepped into the power vacuum that opened when her the power vacuum that opened when her the power vacuum that opened when her brother died in 450 keeping the East brother died in 450 keeping the East brother died in 450 keeping the East from slipping into civil war a book from slipping into civil war a book from slipping into civil war a book detailing the parallel lives and times detailing the parallel lives and times detailing the parallel lives and times of Galla Placidia and Elia Bulgaria of Galla Placidia and Elia Bulgaria of Galla Placidia and Elia Bulgaria would make for great reading if anyone would make for great reading if anyone would make for great reading if anyone feels like knocking one out for us the deaths of Placidia mulch area were the deaths of Placidia mulch area were acutely felt but the bony finger of acutely felt but the bony finger of acutely felt but the bony finger of death was just getting warmed up death was just getting warmed up death was just getting warmed up as I mentioned two episodes back the as I mentioned two episodes back the as I mentioned two episodes back the question of who was going to marry question of who was going to marry question of who was going to marry Valentini in the third youngest daughter Valentini in the third youngest daughter Valentini in the third youngest daughter was fast becoming a hot topic in the was fast becoming a hot topic in the was fast becoming a hot topic in the court of the West the rising officer court of the West the rising officer court of the West the rising officer Midori enhan put forward but as you'll Midori enhan put forward but as you'll Midori enhan put forward but as you'll recall ETS had stepped in an exiled recall ETS had stepped in an exiled recall ETS had stepped in an exiled Maggiore in' before the young man's Maggiore in' before the young man's Maggiore in' before the young man's nomination could get off the ground nomination could get off the ground nomination could get off the ground clearly ETS wanted no one to stand in

clearly ETS wanted no one to stand in clearly ETS wanted no one to stand in the way of his own son God dentists and the way of his own son God dentists and the way of his own son God dentists and it appears that in 453 the general got it appears that in 453 the general got it appears that in 453 the general got his way Valentinian agreed to an his way Valentinian agreed to an his way Valentinian agreed to an engagement between God entia simplicity engagement between God entia simplicity engagement between God entia simplicity of the younger but though the engagement of the younger but though the engagement of the younger but though the engagement put easiest tantalizingly close to put easiest tantalizingly close to put easiest tantalizingly close to becoming patriarch of the next imperial becoming patriarch of the next imperial becoming patriarch of the next imperial dynasty it also likely sowed the seeds dynasty it also likely sowed the seeds dynasty it also likely sowed the seeds of his own destruction Valentinian had of his own destruction Valentinian had of his own destruction Valentinian had spent his entire life under the thumb of spent his entire life under the thumb of spent his entire life under the thumb of the powerful ETS in the betrothal of his the powerful ETS in the betrothal of his the powerful ETS in the betrothal of his daughter to the general son very likely daughter to the general son very likely daughter to the general son very likely put a simple thought into Valentin ian's put a simple thought into Valentin ian's put a simple thought into Valentin ian's head I wonder how long it will be before head I wonder how long it will be before head I wonder how long it will be before ETS kills me and declares his own son ETS kills me and declares his own son ETS kills me and declares his own son Emperor will it be on the night of the Emperor will it be on the night of the Emperor will it be on the night of the wedding itself or will he wait a few wedding itself or will he wait a few wedding itself or will he wait a few days and if Valentinian didn't actually days and if Valentinian didn't actually days and if Valentinian didn't actually come up with this thought himself to come up with this thought himself to come up with this thought himself to members of the imperial court almost members of the imperial court almost members of the imperial court almost certainly conspired to put it there the certainly conspired to put it there the certainly conspired to put it there the imperial chamberlain Heraclius and the imperial chamberlain Heraclius and the imperial chamberlain Heraclius and the wealthy senator Petronius maximus now as imperial chamberlain Heraclius now as imperial chamberlain Heraclius needed no specific motivation Imperial needed no specific motivation Imperial needed no specific motivation Imperial Chamberlain's are apparently a uniformly Chamberlain's are apparently a uniformly Chamberlain's are apparently a uniformly sneaky and conspiratorial lot but sneaky and conspiratorial lot but sneaky and conspiratorial lot but Maximus is a different story a longtime Maximus is a different story a longtime Maximus is a different story a longtime egn loyalist he apparently turned on his egn loyalist he apparently turned on his egn loyalist he apparently turned on his patron as a part of a larger project to patron as a part of a larger project to patron as a part of a larger project to take revenge on Valentinian revenge he

take revenge on Valentinian revenge he take revenge on Valentinian revenge he knew would be impossible as long as ET knew would be impossible as long as ET knew would be impossible as long as ET has stood in his way according to a convoluted story related according to a convoluted story related by 7th century historian john of antioch by 7th century historian john of antioch by 7th century historian john of antioch Valentinian had won one of Maximus Valentinian had won one of Maximus Valentinian had won one of Maximus family rings in a bet then use that ring family rings in a bet then use that ring family rings in a bet then use that ring to lure Maximus his wife to court and to lure Maximus his wife to court and to lure Maximus his wife to court and then proceeded to raper and this is not then proceeded to raper and this is not then proceeded to raper and this is not a pretty story but it is also one that a pretty story but it is also one that a pretty story but it is also one that may have been invented later to give a may have been invented later to give a may have been invented later to give a more emotional explanation for Maximus more emotional explanation for Maximus more emotional explanation for Maximus as actions throughout 454 Hurok leus and as actions throughout 454 Hurok leus and as actions throughout 454 Hurok leus and Maximus worked steadily to erode Maximus worked steadily to erode Maximus worked steadily to erode Valentin Ian's faith and easiest and Valentin Ian's faith and easiest and Valentin Ian's faith and easiest and replace that faith with intense fear and replace that faith with intense fear and replace that faith with intense fear and distrust once they had the now 34 distrust once they had the now 34 distrust once they had the now 34 year-old Emperor on the hook year-old Emperor on the hook year-old Emperor on the hook they began broaching more intense they began broaching more intense they began broaching more intense subjects ETS is a threat to you became subjects ETS is a threat to you became subjects ETS is a threat to you became shouldn't you get rid of atheists became shouldn't you get rid of atheists became shouldn't you get rid of atheists became shouldn't someone kill ETS became shouldn't someone kill ETS became shouldn't someone kill ETS became finally shouldn't you kill ETS now finally shouldn't you kill ETS now finally shouldn't you kill ETS now there's no way to know whether there's no way to know whether there's no way to know whether Valentinian sphere of ETS was legitimate Valentinian sphere of ETS was legitimate Valentinian sphere of ETS was legitimate that is whether ETS would have actively that is whether ETS would have actively that is whether ETS would have actively conspired to murder the Emperor and conspired to murder the Emperor and conspired to murder the Emperor and elevate his son to the throne or whether elevate his son to the throne or whether elevate his son to the throne or whether he would have been content to just let he would have been content to just let he would have been content to just let nature take its course nature take its course nature take its course but given ETS this history of ambitious but given ETS this history of ambitious but given ETS this history of ambitious backstabbing Valentinian spheres were I

backstabbing Valentinian spheres were I backstabbing Valentinian spheres were I think at least justified this all led up think at least justified this all led up think at least justified this all led up to one of the most dramatic to one of the most dramatic to one of the most dramatic assassinations in Roman history in assassinations in Roman history in assassinations in Roman history in September of 454 ETS was in Ravenna September of 454 ETS was in Ravenna September of 454 ETS was in Ravenna briefing the Emperor and his ministers briefing the Emperor and his ministers briefing the Emperor and his ministers on the state of the Army's finances when on the state of the Army's finances when on the state of the Army's finances when after the general turned his back for a after the general turned his back for a after the general turned his back for a moment the Emperor himself pulled out a moment the Emperor himself pulled out a moment the Emperor himself pulled out a dagger and stabbed easiest to death Valentinian obviously felt that killing Valentinian obviously felt that killing the general was necessary and that this the general was necessary and that this the general was necessary and that this was the only way to get to him but still was the only way to get to him but still was the only way to get to him but still usually Emperor's enlist underlings to usually Emperor's enlist underlings to usually Emperor's enlist underlings to assassinate their enemies rather than assassinate their enemies rather than assassinate their enemies rather than the other way around the other way around the other way around Dias was 58 years old and had more or Dias was 58 years old and had more or Dias was 58 years old and had more or less held the western empire together less held the western empire together less held the western empire together for 21 years for 21 years for 21 years shortly after the murder Valentinian was shortly after the murder Valentinian was shortly after the murder Valentinian was confronted by the bishop Apollinaris who confronted by the bishop Apollinaris who confronted by the bishop Apollinaris who allegedly said I am ignorant sir of your allegedly said I am ignorant sir of your allegedly said I am ignorant sir of your motives motives motives I only know you have acted like a man I only know you have acted like a man I only know you have acted like a man who cut off his right hand with his left who cut off his right hand with his left who cut off his right hand with his left which just about sums it up which just about sums it up which just about sums it up hideous may have been treacherous and hideous may have been treacherous and hideous may have been treacherous and ambitious but he was a damned effective ambitious but he was a damned effective ambitious but he was a damned effective general and administrator killing him general and administrator killing him general and administrator killing him may have been an act of pre-emptive may have been an act of pre-emptive may have been an act of pre-emptive self-defense but it certainly didn't do self-defense but it certainly didn't do self-defense but it certainly didn't do anything to help the disintegrating anything to help the disintegrating anything to help the disintegrating western empire and ultimately it didn't

western empire and ultimately it didn't western empire and ultimately it didn't do anything to save Valentinian either do anything to save Valentinian either do anything to save Valentinian either because it's not like idiots didn't have because it's not like idiots didn't have because it's not like idiots didn't have allies who would happily avenge their allies who would happily avenge their allies who would happily avenge their patron if given the chance they would be patron if given the chance they would be patron if given the chance they would be given the chance less than a year later given the chance less than a year later given the chance less than a year later when it turned out that the when it turned out that the when it turned out that the conspiratorial marriage between her conspiratorial marriage between her conspiratorial marriage between her aqueous and Maximus was a marriage of aqueous and Maximus was a marriage of aqueous and Maximus was a marriage of convenience they were not allies so much convenience they were not allies so much convenience they were not allies so much as enemies of the same man and now that as enemies of the same man and now that as enemies of the same man and now that that man lay dead that man lay dead that man lay dead they divorced almost immediately Maximus they divorced almost immediately Maximus they divorced almost immediately Maximus was expecting to succeed easiest to the was expecting to succeed easiest to the was expecting to succeed easiest to the position of commander in chief the position of commander in chief the position of commander in chief the Western legions he may have had a deal Western legions he may have had a deal Western legions he may have had a deal with her acquiesced about effect but with her acquiesced about effect but with her acquiesced about effect but it's also possible that he was just it's also possible that he was just it's also possible that he was just making assumptions and we all know how making assumptions and we all know how making assumptions and we all know how rotten assumptions can be in the rotten assumptions can be in the rotten assumptions can be in the immediate aftermath of ETS death Maximus immediate aftermath of ETS death Maximus immediate aftermath of ETS death Maximus attempted to step into the dead generals attempted to step into the dead generals attempted to step into the dead generals boots but he found himself blocked by boots but he found himself blocked by boots but he found himself blocked by that's right harach leus who feared a that's right harach leus who feared a that's right harach leus who feared a loss of influence if his co-conspirator loss of influence if his co-conspirator loss of influence if his co-conspirator Maximus was able to grab that much power Maximus was able to grab that much power Maximus was able to grab that much power so he whispered in Valentin Ian's ear so he whispered in Valentin Ian's ear so he whispered in Valentin Ian's ear and killed Maximus is shot at the job and killed Maximus is shot at the job and killed Maximus is shot at the job which as you can imagine tick Maximus which as you can imagine tick Maximus which as you can imagine tick Maximus off something fierce here he had gone to off something fierce here he had gone to off something fierce here he had gone to all this trouble to get ETS killed and all this trouble to get ETS killed and all this trouble to get ETS killed and he wasn't even going to reap any kind of he wasn't even going to reap any kind of he wasn't even going to reap any kind of reward reward reward so murderous conspirator that he was

so murderous conspirator that he was so murderous conspirator that he was Maximus began to murderously conspire Maximus began to murderously conspire Maximus began to murderously conspire with some of ETS his old Confederates to with some of ETS his old Confederates to with some of ETS his old Confederates to murder the Emperor and this is when the murder the Emperor and this is when the murder the Emperor and this is when the rape story begins to ring a bit Hollow rape story begins to ring a bit Hollow rape story begins to ring a bit Hollow when discussing eg Isis murder John says when discussing eg Isis murder John says when discussing eg Isis murder John says that the whole thing was about Maximus that the whole thing was about Maximus that the whole thing was about Maximus avenging his wife but when it comes time avenging his wife but when it comes time avenging his wife but when it comes time for him to kill the rapist Emperor John for him to kill the rapist Emperor John for him to kill the rapist Emperor John merely talks about Maximus his merely talks about Maximus his merely talks about Maximus his bitterness over having been passed over bitterness over having been passed over bitterness over having been passed over for promotion and that just seems like a for promotion and that just seems like a for promotion and that just seems like a really weird disconnect anyway keeping really weird disconnect anyway keeping really weird disconnect anyway keeping his own role in et as his death of his own role in et as his death of his own role in et as his death of secret Maximus enlisted to Hunnic secret Maximus enlisted to Hunnic secret Maximus enlisted to Hunnic bodyguards who had served the late bodyguards who had served the late bodyguards who had served the late general loyally for years while visiting general loyally for years while visiting general loyally for years while visiting Rome in March of 455 Valentinian Rome in March of 455 Valentinian Rome in March of 455 Valentinian accompanied by Heracles decided to go accompanied by Heracles decided to go accompanied by Heracles decided to go out riding and maybe practice some out riding and maybe practice some out riding and maybe practice some archery so out went the Imperial archery so out went the Imperial archery so out went the Imperial entourage which naturally included the entourage which naturally included the entourage which naturally included the two honey God and is mounted from his two honey God and is mounted from his two honey God and is mounted from his horse the two bodyguards charged forward horse the two bodyguards charged forward horse the two bodyguards charged forward one targeting Valentinian and the other one targeting Valentinian and the other one targeting Valentinian and the other targeting her aqueous both were stabbed targeting her aqueous both were stabbed targeting her aqueous both were stabbed to death Valentinian was 35 years old to death Valentinian was 35 years old to death Valentinian was 35 years old and having ascended to the throne at the and having ascended to the throne at the and having ascended to the throne at the age of six he had technically been age of six he had technically been age of six he had technically been emperor of the West for 29 years though emperor of the West for 29 years though emperor of the West for 29 years though for most of that time real power lay for most of that time real power lay for most of that time real power lay first with Galla Placidia first with Galla Placidia first with Galla Placidia and then with flavia's ETS as had been

and then with flavia's ETS as had been and then with flavia's ETS as had been the case in the east just a few years the case in the east just a few years the case in the east just a few years before the death of the airless mountain before the death of the airless mountain before the death of the airless mountain II in the 3rd left a gaping hole in the II in the 3rd left a gaping hole in the II in the 3rd left a gaping hole in the political hierarchy but the Western political hierarchy but the Western political hierarchy but the Western Empire had not dealt with in more than Empire had not dealt with in more than Empire had not dealt with in more than half a century going all the way back to half a century going all the way back to half a century going all the way back to the civil wars that had followed the the civil wars that had followed the the civil wars that had followed the death of Valentinian ii in 392 remember death of Valentinian ii in 392 remember death of Valentinian ii in 392 remember that yeah i was a long time ago Petronius maximus was no dummy though Petronius maximus was no dummy though and he had timed the assassination to and he had timed the assassination to and he had timed the assassination to take place in Rome while he was there take place in Rome while he was there take place in Rome while he was there so that he could be johnny-on-the-spot so that he could be johnny-on-the-spot so that he could be johnny-on-the-spot because remember this time there was no because remember this time there was no because remember this time there was no imperial sister around to marry some imperial sister around to marry some imperial sister around to marry some stewed and make him ever the wayward stewed and make him ever the wayward stewed and make him ever the wayward head Nuria had been exiled shortly after head Nuria had been exiled shortly after head Nuria had been exiled shortly after her wedding proposal to Attila and then her wedding proposal to Attila and then her wedding proposal to Attila and then she simply disappears from the she simply disappears from the she simply disappears from the historical record Maximus historical record Maximus historical record Maximus banking on the ironclad law that fortune banking on the ironclad law that fortune banking on the ironclad law that fortune favor'd the bold and the fact that he favor'd the bold and the fact that he favor'd the bold and the fact that he was the only one even remotely prepared was the only one even remotely prepared was the only one even remotely prepared for the death of Valentinian since he for the death of Valentinian since he for the death of Valentinian since he you know planned it was the first one to you know planned it was the first one to you know planned it was the first one to step forward and declare his willingness step forward and declare his willingness step forward and declare his willingness to rule the western empire but though he to rule the western empire but though he to rule the western empire but though he was the first much to Maximus is great was the first much to Maximus is great was the first much to Maximus is great annoyance he was not the only one to annoyance he was not the only one to annoyance he was not the only one to step forward a now wealthy former step forward a now wealthy former step forward a now wealthy former bodyguard of ET is's named Maximus was bodyguard of ET is's named Maximus was bodyguard of ET is's named Maximus was backed by the old Eton faction of the backed by the old Eton faction of the backed by the old Eton faction of the imperial court while the soon-to-be imperial court while the soon-to-be imperial court while the soon-to-be emperor Maggiore n' who had returned to

emperor Maggiore n' who had returned to emperor Maggiore n' who had returned to favour after the death of EDS was being favour after the death of EDS was being favour after the death of EDS was being backed by the army backed by the army backed by the army Petronius Maximus had the support of the Petronius Maximus had the support of the Petronius Maximus had the support of the Senate though and with it the support of Senate though and with it the support of Senate though and with it the support of the Senate's wealth he lavishly the Senate's wealth he lavishly the Senate's wealth he lavishly distributed bribes throughout the upper distributed bribes throughout the upper distributed bribes throughout the upper reaches of the Imperial bureaucracy and reaches of the Imperial bureaucracy and reaches of the Imperial bureaucracy and in short order found them spontaneously in short order found them spontaneously in short order found them spontaneously backing his claim to power and so backing his claim to power and so backing his claim to power and so Maximus became emperor of the Western Maximus became emperor of the Western Maximus became emperor of the Western Empire to legitimize his claim he Empire to legitimize his claim he Empire to legitimize his claim he quickly married the Emperor's widow quickly married the Emperor's widow quickly married the Emperor's widow Elia dosia which as I noted when EGS Elia dosia which as I noted when EGS Elia dosia which as I noted when EGS married Boniface is widowed must have married Boniface is widowed must have married Boniface is widowed must have been pretty gross for her the death of been pretty gross for her the death of been pretty gross for her the death of Valentin Dean the third marks the end of Valentin Dean the third marks the end of Valentin Dean the third marks the end of an era in Roman history and it's a an era in Roman history and it's a an era in Roman history and it's a pretty big era at that the end of pretty big era at that the end of pretty big era at that the end of imperial dynasties at least in the west imperial dynasties at least in the west imperial dynasties at least in the west for 500 years we've had the Giulio for 500 years we've had the Giulio for 500 years we've had the Giulio Claudine's and then the Flavians and Claudine's and then the Flavians and Claudine's and then the Flavians and then the Antonine and then the Severns then the Antonine and then the Severns then the Antonine and then the Severns and then well everything went to hell and then well everything went to hell and then well everything went to hell for a little bit but eventually we got for a little bit but eventually we got for a little bit but eventually we got to the constant in Ian's and then the to the constant in Ian's and then the to the constant in Ian's and then the Valentin Ian's and then the Theodosius Valentin Ian's and then the Theodosius Valentin Ian's and then the Theodosius but with the death of Valentin but with the death of Valentin but with the death of Valentin in the third all we're left with now is in the third all we're left with now is in the third all we're left with now is a random grab bag called the final a random grab bag called the final a random grab bag called the final Emperor's of the Western Empire weak Emperor's of the Western Empire weak Emperor's of the Western Empire weak disjointed increasingly powerless a list disjointed increasingly powerless a list disjointed increasingly powerless a list of names without real authority or even

of names without real authority or even of names without real authority or even a real Empire to rule that finally winks a real Empire to rule that finally winks a real Empire to rule that finally winks out of existence at Romulus Augustus out of existence at Romulus Augustus out of existence at Romulus Augustus whose name brings us full circle back to whose name brings us full circle back to whose name brings us full circle back to the founder of the empire into the the founder of the empire into the the founder of the empire into the founder of Rome itself though the exile founder of Rome itself though the exile founder of Rome itself though the exile of the puppet boy Emperor was considered of the puppet boy Emperor was considered of the puppet boy Emperor was considered an unremarkable afterthought at the time an unremarkable afterthought at the time an unremarkable afterthought at the time it soon began to designate the official it soon began to designate the official it soon began to designate the official Falls the Roman Empire in the popular Falls the Roman Empire in the popular Falls the Roman Empire in the popular imagination this designation is of imagination this designation is of imagination this designation is of course arbitrary and forced in many ways course arbitrary and forced in many ways course arbitrary and forced in many ways the Roman Empire died when Maximus Thrax the Roman Empire died when Maximus Thrax the Roman Empire died when Maximus Thrax overthrew alexander severus in many ways overthrew alexander severus in many ways overthrew alexander severus in many ways it died when Diocletian reformed its it died when Diocletian reformed its it died when Diocletian reformed its structure and then again when structure and then again when structure and then again when constantine replaced its religion then constantine replaced its religion then constantine replaced its religion then again in many ways it would not really again in many ways it would not really again in many ways it would not really die until the passing of Justinian the die until the passing of Justinian the die until the passing of Justinian the last of the Latin emperors and the man last of the Latin emperors and the man last of the Latin emperors and the man who nearly bankrupted the east trying to who nearly bankrupted the east trying to who nearly bankrupted the east trying to reclaim the West in many ways it would reclaim the West in many ways it would reclaim the West in many ways it would not die until the Turks blasted a hole not die until the Turks blasted a hole not die until the Turks blasted a hole in the side of the Theodosia walls in in the side of the Theodosia walls in in the side of the Theodosia walls in 1453 and then there's philip k dick he 1453 and then there's philip k dick he 1453 and then there's philip k dick he said that the empire never ended but said that the empire never ended but said that the empire never ended but these two are all artificially imposed these two are all artificially imposed these two are all artificially imposed divisions invented by historians to help divisions invented by historians to help divisions invented by historians to help keep the past manageable because without keep the past manageable because without keep the past manageable because without those artificially imposed divisions those artificially imposed divisions those artificially imposed divisions every book every class and every podcast

every book every class and every podcast every book every class and every podcast would have to be called the history of would have to be called the history of would have to be called the history of the world 4.5 billion bc to the present the world 4.5 billion bc to the present the world 4.5 billion bc to the present after all it really is just the one long after all it really is just the one long after all it really is just the one long narrative drifting seamlessly from one narrative drifting seamlessly from one narrative drifting seamlessly from one briefly held form to the next which brings me to what I now need to which brings me to what I now need to say the history of Rome will be ending say the history of Rome will be ending say the history of Rome will be ending with the Exile of Romulus Augustus last with the Exile of Romulus Augustus last with the Exile of Romulus Augustus last emperor of the Western Roman Empire I emperor of the Western Roman Empire I emperor of the Western Roman Empire I know that is not what many of you want know that is not what many of you want know that is not what many of you want to hear and in many ways it is not what to hear and in many ways it is not what to hear and in many ways it is not what I want to be telling you but it is what I want to be telling you but it is what I want to be telling you but it is what is going to happen the time is right for is going to happen the time is right for is going to happen the time is right for me to let it end to let it end well it me to let it end to let it end well it me to let it end to let it end well it is still good and strong rather than is still good and strong rather than is still good and strong rather than dragging it out until it dies in some dragging it out until it dies in some dragging it out until it dies in some obscure corner of the Internet long sent obscure corner of the Internet long sent obscure corner of the Internet long sent abandoned by everyone who once loved it abandoned by everyone who once loved it abandoned by everyone who once loved it because it has degenerated into an because it has degenerated into an because it has degenerated into an endless string of weddings and births endless string of weddings and births endless string of weddings and births and contrived romances like the crappy and contrived romances like the crappy and contrived romances like the crappy 14th season of some sitcom you can't 14th season of some sitcom you can't 14th season of some sitcom you can't believe is still on the air I would like believe is still on the air I would like believe is still on the air I would like to be better than that but more importantly the time is right but more importantly the time is right because in about two months I don't because in about two months I don't because in about two months I don't think I'm going to have the time or the think I'm going to have the time or the think I'm going to have the time or the energy to make the show as good as I energy to make the show as good as I energy to make the show as good as I expect it to be you see this is the expect it to be you see this is the expect it to be you see this is the history of Rome is seven months pregnant history of Rome is seven months pregnant history of Rome is seven months pregnant with our first child by all accounts with our first child by all accounts with our first child by all accounts baby's pretty much change the whole

baby's pretty much change the whole baby's pretty much change the whole equation sometimes I'll get emails from equation sometimes I'll get emails from equation sometimes I'll get emails from people that read like how do you find people that read like how do you find people that read like how do you find the time to produce the podcast you must the time to produce the podcast you must the time to produce the podcast you must not have kids which has been true and is not have kids which has been true and is not have kids which has been true and is still true right now still true right now still true right now but won't be very very soon so that the but won't be very very soon so that the but won't be very very soon so that the pacing seems poised to land the show on pacing seems poised to land the show on pacing seems poised to land the show on 476 ad just at the moment when my son is 476 ad just at the moment when my son is 476 ad just at the moment when my son is going to be born seems too auspicious going to be born seems too auspicious going to be born seems too auspicious important to ignore so I'm not going to important to ignore so I'm not going to important to ignore so I'm not going to ignore it we're at 455 ad right now so ignore it we're at 455 ad right now so ignore it we're at 455 ad right now so we have about 20 years left it's an we have about 20 years left it's an we have about 20 years left it's an action-packed 20 years so it's not like action-packed 20 years so it's not like action-packed 20 years so it's not like I'm signing off tomorrow but the life of I'm signing off tomorrow but the life of I'm signing off tomorrow but the life of the history of Rome can now be measured the history of Rome can now be measured the history of Rome can now be measured in weeks I'm not sure exactly how long in weeks I'm not sure exactly how long in weeks I'm not sure exactly how long it will take to get from here to there it will take to get from here to there it will take to get from here to there because things always seem to pop up because things always seem to pop up because things always seem to pop up that I want to talk about but I would that I want to talk about but I would that I want to talk about but I would reckon that the number reckon that the number reckon that the number episodes left is now in the single episodes left is now in the single episodes left is now in the single digits which is a crazy thing to think digits which is a crazy thing to think digits which is a crazy thing to think about the history of Rome has been my about the history of Rome has been my about the history of Rome has been my life day in and day out for almost five life day in and day out for almost five life day in and day out for almost five years now I'm not sure what I'm going to years now I'm not sure what I'm going to years now I'm not sure what I'm going to do when it's over oh wait that's right do when it's over oh wait that's right do when it's over oh wait that's right I'm going to have a baby to take care of I'm going to have a baby to take care of I'm going to have a baby to take care of all thank you all again when the time all thank you all again when the time all thank you all again when the time comes but I would like to thank you now comes but I would like to thank you now comes but I would like to thank you now too too too because I really can't thank you enough because I really can't thank you enough because I really can't thank you enough thank you for letting me do the history

thank you for letting me do the history thank you for letting me do the history of Rome okay next week just to really of Rome okay next week just to really of Rome okay next week just to really drive home the depressing point that drive home the depressing point that drive home the depressing point that this is all coming to an end this is all coming to an end this is all coming to an end Rome is going to get sacked again the Rome is going to get sacked again the Rome is going to get sacked again the aftermath of Valentinian assassination aftermath of Valentinian assassination aftermath of Valentinian assassination is going to be a very confusing time for is going to be a very confusing time for is going to be a very confusing time for the Western Empire and attempting to the Western Empire and attempting to the Western Empire and attempting to consolidate power consolidate power consolidate power Petronius Maximus is going to piss the Petronius Maximus is going to piss the Petronius Maximus is going to piss the Vandals off something fierce leading Vandals off something fierce leading Vandals off something fierce leading them to sack Rome in August of 455 which them to sack Rome in August of 455 which them to sack Rome in August of 455 which just for the record is yet another just for the record is yet another just for the record is yet another arbitrary point some historians use to arbitrary point some historians use to arbitrary point some historians use to designate the official fall of the Roman designate the official fall of the Roman designate the official fall of the Roman Empire Empire Empire [Music] [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of hello and welcome to the history of realm episode 174 the sack of realm part realm episode 174 the sack of realm part realm episode 174 the sack of realm part 2 last time we left off with the 2 last time we left off with the 2 last time we left off with the assassination of Valentini in the third

assassination of Valentini in the third assassination of Valentini in the third last of the Theodosius and the last of the Theodosius and the last of the Theodosius and the subsequent elevation of Petronius subsequent elevation of Petronius subsequent elevation of Petronius maximus first of the so-called shadow maximus first of the so-called shadow maximus first of the so-called shadow emperors those pale imitations who emperors those pale imitations who emperors those pale imitations who bickered over an ever-shrinking Imperial bickered over an ever-shrinking Imperial bickered over an ever-shrinking Imperial pie in the last days of the Western pie in the last days of the Western pie in the last days of the Western Empire Petronius maximus will get this Empire Petronius maximus will get this Empire Petronius maximus will get this terminal face started in fine style by terminal face started in fine style by terminal face started in fine style by reigning for just 77 days in 455 ad reigning for just 77 days in 455 ad reigning for just 77 days in 455 ad his major accomplishment provoking the his major accomplishment provoking the his major accomplishment provoking the Vandals to sack Rome we are indeed a Vandals to sack Rome we are indeed a Vandals to sack Rome we are indeed a long way from the Golden Age of the long way from the Golden Age of the long way from the Golden Age of the Antoninus Maximus his problem was it he Antoninus Maximus his problem was it he Antoninus Maximus his problem was it he didn't really have any inherent imperial didn't really have any inherent imperial didn't really have any inherent imperial legitimacy he had killed the previous legitimacy he had killed the previous legitimacy he had killed the previous Emperor and had spread some bribes Emperor and had spread some bribes Emperor and had spread some bribes around but that was really all he had around but that was really all he had around but that was really all he had going for him so as I mentioned last going for him so as I mentioned last going for him so as I mentioned last week he forced the Emperor's Widow like week he forced the Emperor's Widow like week he forced the Emperor's Widow like seeing a utopia to marry him after all seeing a utopia to marry him after all seeing a utopia to marry him after all she was not just the wife of the late she was not just the wife of the late she was not just the wife of the late Western Emperor Valentini in the third Western Emperor Valentini in the third Western Emperor Valentini in the third she was also the daughter of the late she was also the daughter of the late she was also the daughter of the late Eastern Emperor Theodosius ii so she was Eastern Emperor Theodosius ii so she was Eastern Emperor Theodosius ii so she was just oozing legitimacy and marrying her just oozing legitimacy and marrying her just oozing legitimacy and marrying her was not only practical it was kind of was not only practical it was kind of was not only practical it was kind of necessary given the circumstances but necessary given the circumstances but necessary given the circumstances but maximus was not content to stop there he maximus was not content to stop there he maximus was not content to stop there he wanted to firmly intertwine his own wanted to firmly intertwine his own wanted to firmly intertwine his own family with the Theodosius and spawn a family with the Theodosius and spawn a family with the Theodosius and spawn a new dynasty new dynasty new dynasty so Maximus named his son Caesar and then so Maximus named his son Caesar and then so Maximus named his son Caesar and then married the boy to Valentinian and

married the boy to Valentinian and married the boy to Valentinian and lysine EU Doge his eldest daughter the lysine EU Doge his eldest daughter the lysine EU Doge his eldest daughter the now fifteen-year-old you dosia the now fifteen-year-old you dosia the now fifteen-year-old you dosia the younger except that if you'll recall her younger except that if you'll recall her younger except that if you'll recall her hand had already been promised to the hand had already been promised to the hand had already been promised to the Vandal Prince hunter 'ok this wedding Vandal Prince hunter 'ok this wedding Vandal Prince hunter 'ok this wedding had not yet taken place but neither had had not yet taken place but neither had had not yet taken place but neither had it ever been called off Maximus it ever been called off Maximus it ever been called off Maximus obviously thought that with Valentinian obviously thought that with Valentinian obviously thought that with Valentinian dead he could start rearranging dead he could start rearranging dead he could start rearranging marriages as he saw fit but well King marriages as he saw fit but well King marriages as he saw fit but well King Genseric Genseric Genseric did not take kindly to the change in did not take kindly to the change in did not take kindly to the change in plans after all he was about to marry plans after all he was about to marry plans after all he was about to marry his son into the Roman Imperial family his son into the Roman Imperial family his son into the Roman Imperial family and that is not something you just let and that is not something you just let and that is not something you just let slip away so how did in suruc find out slip away so how did in suruc find out slip away so how did in suruc find out that the engagement was cancelled and that the engagement was cancelled and that the engagement was cancelled and that you dope SIA was going to be that you dope SIA was going to be that you dope SIA was going to be married off to some usurping senator's married off to some usurping senator's married off to some usurping senator's son he was alerted by the mother of the son he was alerted by the mother of the son he was alerted by the mother of the bride and recently widowed twice in bride and recently widowed twice in bride and recently widowed twice in Utopia Utopia Utopia she knew darn well that Maximus had she knew darn well that Maximus had she knew darn well that Maximus had killed her husband and so taking a page killed her husband and so taking a page killed her husband and so taking a page from the PlayBook of her let's see what from the PlayBook of her let's see what from the PlayBook of her let's see what would she be cousin / sister-in-law ha would she be cousin / sister-in-law ha would she be cousin / sister-in-law ha Nuria liye Sunni doke SIA wrote a letter Nuria liye Sunni doke SIA wrote a letter Nuria liye Sunni doke SIA wrote a letter to against Eric begging the Vandals to to against Eric begging the Vandals to to against Eric begging the Vandals to come save her and her family from the come save her and her family from the come save her and her family from the brute Maximus when this letter arrived brute Maximus when this letter arrived brute Maximus when this letter arrived against Eric blew his top and mustered against Eric blew his top and mustered against Eric blew his top and mustered an invasion force almost immediately an invasion force almost immediately an invasion force almost immediately whoever this Maximus character was he whoever this Maximus character was he whoever this Maximus character was he was going to rue the day that he had was going to rue the day that he had was going to rue the day that he had messed with the Vandals back in Rome

messed with the Vandals back in Rome messed with the Vandals back in Rome Maximus was settling comfortably into Maximus was settling comfortably into Maximus was settling comfortably into his new role as Emperor ready to enjoy his new role as Emperor ready to enjoy his new role as Emperor ready to enjoy all the powers and luxuries that came all the powers and luxuries that came all the powers and luxuries that came with being the supreme leader of a with being the supreme leader of a with being the supreme leader of a mighty what's that you say the Vandals mighty what's that you say the Vandals mighty what's that you say the Vandals have set sail from North Africa really have set sail from North Africa really have set sail from North Africa really well that can't be good where do you well that can't be good where do you well that can't be good where do you suppose they're headed suppose they're headed suppose they're headed oh they're headed here oh my well better oh they're headed here oh my well better oh they're headed here oh my well better call out the legions what's that we call out the legions what's that we call out the legions what's that we really don't have any legions anywhere really don't have any legions anywhere really don't have any legions anywhere in the area hmm what should we do panic in the area hmm what should we do panic in the area hmm what should we do panic yes let's do that yes let's do that yes let's do that let's panic knowing that he had nothing let's panic knowing that he had nothing let's panic knowing that he had nothing even close to enough troops to fight the even close to enough troops to fight the even close to enough troops to fight the Vandals and that it was almost Vandals and that it was almost Vandals and that it was almost guaranteed that someone would eventually guaranteed that someone would eventually guaranteed that someone would eventually betray Rome to the barbarians to save betray Rome to the barbarians to save betray Rome to the barbarians to save their own skin their own skin their own skin Maximus told the frightened citizens of Maximus told the frightened citizens of Maximus told the frightened citizens of the city to just make a run for it the the city to just make a run for it the the city to just make a run for it the Vandals are coming I can't stop them Vandals are coming I can't stop them Vandals are coming I can't stop them best to just literally head for the best to just literally head for the best to just literally head for the hills and wait until they're gone the hills and wait until they're gone the hills and wait until they're gone the citizens of Rome took Maximus advice and citizens of Rome took Maximus advice and citizens of Rome took Maximus advice and began pouring began pouring began pouring out of the eternal city but before they out of the eternal city but before they out of the eternal city but before they left they decided that it really left they decided that it really left they decided that it really wouldn't be right to just let Maximus wouldn't be right to just let Maximus wouldn't be right to just let Maximus off the hook for provoking a vandal off the hook for provoking a vandal off the hook for provoking a vandal invasion like that there are a couple of invasion like that there are a couple of invasion like that there are a couple of different versions of the story but different versions of the story but different versions of the story but basically as the Emperor was preparing basically as the Emperor was preparing basically as the Emperor was preparing to make his own escape he was tracked to make his own escape he was tracked to make his own escape he was tracked down by a mob stoned to death torn limb down by a mob stoned to death torn limb down by a mob stoned to death torn limb from limb and then had his bits and from limb and then had his bits and from limb and then had his bits and pieces thrown into the Tiber he was

pieces thrown into the Tiber he was pieces thrown into the Tiber he was about 60 years old and had called about 60 years old and had called about 60 years old and had called himself Emperor for two and a half himself Emperor for two and a half himself Emperor for two and a half months three days after Maximus was months three days after Maximus was months three days after Maximus was consumed by this angry mob the Vandals consumed by this angry mob the Vandals consumed by this angry mob the Vandals arrived on the Italian coast and marched arrived on the Italian coast and marched arrived on the Italian coast and marched on realm no one stood in their way on realm no one stood in their way on realm no one stood in their way the gates of the city were not even the gates of the city were not even the gates of the city were not even locked jin-seok entered Rome and locked jin-seok entered Rome and locked jin-seok entered Rome and commenced with a good and proper sacking commenced with a good and proper sacking commenced with a good and proper sacking now there's some controversy about when now there's some controversy about when now there's some controversy about when the sack actually took place with some the sack actually took place with some the sack actually took place with some sources saying late May others saying sources saying late May others saying sources saying late May others saying early June well still others say that it early June well still others say that it early June well still others say that it wasn't until August but the sources wasn't until August but the sources wasn't until August but the sources generally agree that Maximus did not generally agree that Maximus did not generally agree that Maximus did not reign for more than three months that reign for more than three months that reign for more than three months that Valentinian the third died in March and Valentinian the third died in March and Valentinian the third died in March and that Maximus died before the Vandals that Maximus died before the Vandals that Maximus died before the Vandals arrived so I'm not sure where the August arrived so I'm not sure where the August arrived so I'm not sure where the August date is coming from but other than that date is coming from but other than that date is coming from but other than that I don't think that we can be so I don't think that we can be so I don't think that we can be so confident in our sources that we can confident in our sources that we can confident in our sources that we can just definitively say no it was on June just definitively say no it was on June just definitively say no it was on June the 2nd 455 AD so when you're asked on the 2nd 455 AD so when you're asked on the 2nd 455 AD so when you're asked on the test the test the test when did the Vandal sack Rome all you when did the Vandal sack Rome all you when did the Vandal sack Rome all you need to put is 455 half-credit need to put is 455 half-credit need to put is 455 half-credit if you say after the Goths sack Rome if you say after the Goths sack Rome if you say after the Goths sack Rome quarter-credit if you say sometime after quarter-credit if you say sometime after quarter-credit if you say sometime after Constantine no credit if you ask what a Constantine no credit if you ask what a Constantine no credit if you ask what a vandal is negative credit if you ask vandal is negative credit if you ask vandal is negative credit if you ask what a Rome is like the Gothic sack 45

what a Rome is like the Gothic sack 45 what a Rome is like the Gothic sack 45 years earlier the Vandal sack turned out years earlier the Vandal sack turned out years earlier the Vandal sack turned out to not be all that we have been led to to not be all that we have been led to to not be all that we have been led to believe that it was yes the Vandals believe that it was yes the Vandals believe that it was yes the Vandals occupied the city for two weeks occupied the city for two weeks occupied the city for two weeks and yes they carted off most of the and yes they carted off most of the and yes they carted off most of the treasure the Goths had not treasure the Goths had not treasure the Goths had not already carted off but it was not already carted off but it was not already carted off but it was not mindlessly terrorizing and destructive mindlessly terrorizing and destructive mindlessly terrorizing and destructive archeologists sifting through the layers archeologists sifting through the layers archeologists sifting through the layers of realm haven't really found anything of realm haven't really found anything of realm haven't really found anything that points to a widespread general that points to a widespread general that points to a widespread general destruction of the city in the 5th destruction of the city in the 5th destruction of the city in the 5th century then they actually have ways of century then they actually have ways of century then they actually have ways of determining these sorts of things using determining these sorts of things using determining these sorts of things using like science this conclusion jives with like science this conclusion jives with like science this conclusion jives with the stories about Pope Leo the 1st soon the stories about Pope Leo the 1st soon the stories about Pope Leo the 1st soon enough to be known as Leo the great for enough to be known as Leo the great for enough to be known as Leo the great for obvious reasons obvious reasons obvious reasons convincing insert to forego putting Rome convincing insert to forego putting Rome convincing insert to forego putting Rome to the torch and instead limit himself to the torch and instead limit himself to the torch and instead limit himself to simple plundering concern was either to simple plundering concern was either to simple plundering concern was either swayed by the Pope or was already swayed by the Pope or was already swayed by the Pope or was already planning on limiting the scope of his planning on limiting the scope of his planning on limiting the scope of his conquest and so unlike the Huns at conquest and so unlike the Huns at conquest and so unlike the Huns at Aquileia when the Vandals withdrew from Aquileia when the Vandals withdrew from Aquileia when the Vandals withdrew from Rome two weeks later it still stood but Rome two weeks later it still stood but Rome two weeks later it still stood but that did not mean that they did not that did not mean that they did not that did not mean that they did not strip the city bare sources mentioned strip the city bare sources mentioned strip the city bare sources mentioned that not only was all the treasure Titus that not only was all the treasure Titus that not only was all the treasure Titus and Vespasian had brought back from and Vespasian had brought back from and Vespasian had brought back from Judea hauled off but half the roof of Judea hauled off but half the roof of Judea hauled off but half the roof of the temple of Jupiter was too as the temple of Jupiter was too as the temple of Jupiter was too as controlled as the sack was though it did controlled as the sack was though it did controlled as the sack was though it did not stop the word vandal from entering not stop the word vandal from entering not stop the word vandal from entering our lexicon as one who willfully or our lexicon as one who willfully or our lexicon as one who willfully or ignorantly destroys damages or D faces

ignorantly destroys damages or D faces ignorantly destroys damages or D faces property belonging to another or to the property belonging to another or to the property belonging to another or to the public since the ancient world is public since the ancient world is public since the ancient world is absolutely riddled with Romans and absolutely riddled with Romans and absolutely riddled with Romans and barbarians alike willfully destroying barbarians alike willfully destroying barbarians alike willfully destroying each other's property it's kind of each other's property it's kind of each other's property it's kind of unfair to saddle the Vandals with this unfair to saddle the Vandals with this unfair to saddle the Vandals with this kind of denotative baggage but on the kind of denotative baggage but on the kind of denotative baggage but on the other hand I imagine they'd be happier other hand I imagine they'd be happier other hand I imagine they'd be happier about it than what happened to the poor about it than what happened to the poor about it than what happened to the poor Goths a proud nation of noble warriors Goths a proud nation of noble warriors Goths a proud nation of noble warriors whose name now inexplicably means whose name now inexplicably means whose name now inexplicably means vampire-loving sad sack when the Vandals vampire-loving sad sack when the Vandals vampire-loving sad sack when the Vandals withdrew from Rome and sailed back to withdrew from Rome and sailed back to withdrew from Rome and sailed back to North Africa they also took with them North Africa they also took with them North Africa they also took with them the greatest prize of all and the prize the greatest prize of all and the prize the greatest prize of all and the prize that they had come for in the first that they had come for in the first that they had come for in the first place the Augusta lie Sunni Udo Casilla place the Augusta lie Sunni Udo Casilla place the Augusta lie Sunni Udo Casilla and her two daughters you don't see the and her two daughters you don't see the and her two daughters you don't see the younger and Placidia younger and Placidia younger and Placidia the three Imperial women would be held the three Imperial women would be held the three Imperial women would be held by the Vandals as extremely well treated by the Vandals as extremely well treated by the Vandals as extremely well treated prisoners for the next seven years prisoners for the next seven years prisoners for the next seven years and the marriage of Henrik and Udo SIA and the marriage of Henrik and Udo SIA and the marriage of Henrik and Udo SIA took place as scheduled the union took place as scheduled the union took place as scheduled the union produced the future vandal king Hilde produced the future vandal king Hilde produced the future vandal king Hilde Eric who had both vandal and the adoshem Eric who had both vandal and the adoshem Eric who had both vandal and the adoshem royal blood running through his veins royal blood running through his veins royal blood running through his veins and who would make for a very and who would make for a very and who would make for a very controversial figure in the 6th century controversial figure in the 6th century controversial figure in the 6th century and thus sadly beyond our scope but more and thus sadly beyond our scope but more and thus sadly beyond our scope but more important than what they took with them important than what they took with them important than what they took with them is what the vandals left behind namely a is what the vandals left behind namely a is what the vandals left behind namely a psychologically scarred Roman population psychologically scarred Roman population psychologically scarred Roman population and an imperial power vacuum since

and an imperial power vacuum since and an imperial power vacuum since Maximus is death no one was technically Maximus is death no one was technically Maximus is death no one was technically in charge of the Western Empire and with in charge of the Western Empire and with in charge of the Western Empire and with Rome reeling from the invasion it did Rome reeling from the invasion it did Rome reeling from the invasion it did not look like either the Senate or the not look like either the Senate or the not look like either the Senate or the Italian Armed Forces were going to get Italian Armed Forces were going to get Italian Armed Forces were going to get their act together anytime soon to their act together anytime soon to their act together anytime soon to nominate a new candidate for the job which brings us to a partyís Avitus the which brings us to a partyís Avitus the gallo-roman senator who has been popping gallo-roman senator who has been popping gallo-roman senator who has been popping up off and on over the past 25 years up off and on over the past 25 years up off and on over the past 25 years usually when it comes time to broker usually when it comes time to broker usually when it comes time to broker some kind of deal between Rome and the some kind of deal between Rome and the some kind of deal between Rome and the Goths which is exactly why he is popping Goths which is exactly why he is popping Goths which is exactly why he is popping up now after becoming Emperor the up now after becoming Emperor the up now after becoming Emperor the Maximus wanted to make sure that the Maximus wanted to make sure that the Maximus wanted to make sure that the Goths would back him and so he promoted Goths would back him and so he promoted Goths would back him and so he promoted a vitas to magister militant of Gaul and a vitas to magister militant of Gaul and a vitas to magister militant of Gaul and asked him to please arrange Gothic asked him to please arrange Gothic asked him to please arrange Gothic support for the new regime but since support for the new regime but since support for the new regime but since Maximus was only emperor for two months Maximus was only emperor for two months Maximus was only emperor for two months before the sack of Rome that meant that before the sack of Rome that meant that before the sack of Rome that meant that a Vitas was just barely getting started a Vitas was just barely getting started a Vitas was just barely getting started when the news came that Maximus was dead when the news came that Maximus was dead when the news came that Maximus was dead so who is Emperor now asked the goth so who is Emperor now asked the goth so who is Emperor now asked the goth king theodoric and second who by the way king theodoric and second who by the way king theodoric and second who by the way had risen to power after killing his had risen to power after killing his had risen to power after killing his older brother thor Esmond following the older brother thor Esmond following the older brother thor Esmond following the Battle of the Catalonian fields in 453 Battle of the Catalonian fields in 453 Battle of the Catalonian fields in 453 well I'm not really sure reply to Vitas well I'm not really sure reply to Vitas well I'm not really sure reply to Vitas I guess we'll have to wait and see why I guess we'll have to wait and see why I guess we'll have to wait and see why wait wait wait ask Theodoric you're rich you're in ask Theodoric you're rich you're in ask Theodoric you're rich you're in control of the Gallic legions and you control of the Gallic legions and you control of the Gallic legions and you know we support you 150 percent so why

know we support you 150 percent so why know we support you 150 percent so why don't you just become Emperor when he don't you just become Emperor when he don't you just become Emperor when he did the mass Avitus realized that did the mass Avitus realized that did the mass Avitus realized that Theodoric had a point with the Goths Theodoric had a point with the Goths Theodoric had a point with the Goths stone stone stone in his corner he almost certainly in his corner he almost certainly in his corner he almost certainly commanded the largest military force in commanded the largest military force in commanded the largest military force in the western empire the western empire the western empire so the question wasn't why it was why so the question wasn't why it was why so the question wasn't why it was why not so accompanied by a Gothic army Avitus so accompanied by a Gothic army Avitus traveled down to our and announced to traveled down to our and announced to traveled down to our and announced to the Gallic provincial council that he the Gallic provincial council that he the Gallic provincial council that he was willing to take power if they wanted was willing to take power if they wanted was willing to take power if they wanted him to and they wanted him to getting him to and they wanted him to getting him to and they wanted him to getting one of their own in power was a hugely one of their own in power was a hugely one of their own in power was a hugely appealing prospect they proclaimed appealing prospect they proclaimed appealing prospect they proclaimed Avitus Augustus on July the 9th 455 ad Avitus Augustus on July the 9th 455 ad Avitus Augustus on July the 9th 455 ad the new self proclaimed by default the new self proclaimed by default the new self proclaimed by default whatever Emperor spent the next three whatever Emperor spent the next three whatever Emperor spent the next three months consolidating his power base in months consolidating his power base in months consolidating his power base in Gaul before he moved over the Alps in Gaul before he moved over the Alps in Gaul before he moved over the Alps in September and entered Italy before September and entered Italy before September and entered Italy before winter set in and a bit of a pleasant winter set in and a bit of a pleasant winter set in and a bit of a pleasant throwback to the good old days though throwback to the good old days though throwback to the good old days though Avitus did not head straight for Ravenna Avitus did not head straight for Ravenna Avitus did not head straight for Ravenna instead he merely dispatched a gothic instead he merely dispatched a gothic instead he merely dispatched a gothic garrison to go hold the city in his name garrison to go hold the city in his name garrison to go hold the city in his name while he himself continued on to Rome while he himself continued on to Rome while he himself continued on to Rome maybe it was the political circumstances maybe it was the political circumstances maybe it was the political circumstances of the moment that drove his decision of the moment that drove his decision of the moment that drove his decision Maximus is reine brief as it had been Maximus is reine brief as it had been Maximus is reine brief as it had been had been based there and the city had had been based there and the city had had been based there and the city had just been sacked and needed a just been sacked and needed a just been sacked and needed a psychological boost but Avitus clearly

psychological boost but Avitus clearly psychological boost but Avitus clearly felt the need to be in Rome rather than felt the need to be in Rome rather than felt the need to be in Rome rather than the now imperial capital of Ravenna the now imperial capital of Ravenna the now imperial capital of Ravenna which like I say is a pleasant throwback which like I say is a pleasant throwback which like I say is a pleasant throwback to the good old days but though Avitus to the good old days but though Avitus to the good old days but though Avitus had his good acclaim to any - imperial had his good acclaim to any - imperial had his good acclaim to any - imperial power that did not mean that he was the power that did not mean that he was the power that did not mean that he was the only interested party in who should rule only interested party in who should rule only interested party in who should rule the west ralph matheson of the the west ralph matheson of the the west ralph matheson of the University of South Carolina identifies University of South Carolina identifies University of South Carolina identifies at least four other such interested at least four other such interested at least four other such interested parties the eastern emperor Marcion the parties the eastern emperor Marcion the parties the eastern emperor Marcion the Italian nobility the just departed Italian nobility the just departed Italian nobility the just departed vandals and the leaders of the Italian vandals and the leaders of the Italian vandals and the leaders of the Italian armed forces Maggiore in' and his armed forces Maggiore in' and his armed forces Maggiore in' and his germanic colleague / mentor Rick imir germanic colleague / mentor Rick imir germanic colleague / mentor Rick imir all of them could be theoretically all of them could be theoretically all of them could be theoretically induced to follow a Vitas if he played induced to follow a Vitas if he played induced to follow a Vitas if he played his cards just right unfortunately he his cards just right unfortunately he his cards just right unfortunately he would not play his card would not play his card would not play his card just right not because he was a bumbling just right not because he was a bumbling just right not because he was a bumbling fool or anything but just that these fool or anything but just that these fool or anything but just that these things are delicate and not a little bit things are delicate and not a little bit things are delicate and not a little bit unfair Evita started at the top and dispatched Evita started at the top and dispatched envoy's to Constantinople seeking envoy's to Constantinople seeking envoy's to Constantinople seeking recognition for his rule either because recognition for his rule either because recognition for his rule either because the eastern Emperor wanted to appoint the eastern Emperor wanted to appoint the eastern Emperor wanted to appoint his own man or because he wasn't sure his own man or because he wasn't sure his own man or because he wasn't sure Avitus would survive and didn't want to Avitus would survive and didn't want to Avitus would survive and didn't want to put his own prestige on the line Marcion put his own prestige on the line Marcion put his own prestige on the line Marcion was non-committal about backing Avitus was non-committal about backing Avitus was non-committal about backing Avitus well okay sada Vitas no matter he'll well okay sada Vitas no matter he'll well okay sada Vitas no matter he'll come around he next sent and voiced come around he next sent and voiced come around he next sent and voiced against Erik attempting to lay down some

against Erik attempting to lay down some against Erik attempting to lay down some law I am NOT Maximus I have an army law I am NOT Maximus I have an army law I am NOT Maximus I have an army don't even think about trying to invade don't even think about trying to invade don't even think about trying to invade Italy a second time that sort of thing Italy a second time that sort of thing Italy a second time that sort of thing which of course Genseric scoffed at as which of course Genseric scoffed at as which of course Genseric scoffed at as soon as Marx rolled around and the soon as Marx rolled around and the soon as Marx rolled around and the Mediterranean was safe for sailing again Mediterranean was safe for sailing again Mediterranean was safe for sailing again the Vandals started raiding the Sicilian the Vandals started raiding the Sicilian the Vandals started raiding the Sicilian coasts but these raids were not all bad coasts but these raids were not all bad coasts but these raids were not all bad for Avitus with the Vandals once again for Avitus with the Vandals once again for Avitus with the Vandals once again on the offensive the new emperor on the offensive the new emperor on the offensive the new emperor dispatched ric imir to head up the dispatched ric imir to head up the dispatched ric imir to head up the response a vides nude and well that response a vides nude and well that response a vides nude and well that ricca Miran Maggiore in' represented the ricca Miran Maggiore in' represented the ricca Miran Maggiore in' represented the greatest threats to his regime tying up greatest threats to his regime tying up greatest threats to his regime tying up Ricca mur and what was sure to be a Ricca mur and what was sure to be a Ricca mur and what was sure to be a protracted conflict on the high seas protracted conflict on the high seas protracted conflict on the high seas would give a Vitas just the kind of would give a Vitas just the kind of would give a Vitas just the kind of breathing room he needed which is to say breathing room he needed which is to say breathing room he needed which is to say that as long as rick imir was fighting that as long as rick imir was fighting that as long as rick imir was fighting vandal pirates he wasn't fighting Avitus vandal pirates he wasn't fighting Avitus vandal pirates he wasn't fighting Avitus but this breathing space didn't really but this breathing space didn't really but this breathing space didn't really do of eat us any good the political do of eat us any good the political do of eat us any good the political fractures in the West were by now simply fractures in the West were by now simply fractures in the West were by now simply too great to overcome in another era an too great to overcome in another era an too great to overcome in another era an emperor reigning from Rome with the emperor reigning from Rome with the emperor reigning from Rome with the backing of troops from Gaul would have backing of troops from Gaul would have backing of troops from Gaul would have raised very few eyebrows but these days raised very few eyebrows but these days raised very few eyebrows but these days the Vedas and the Goths were seen just the Vedas and the Goths were seen just the Vedas and the Goths were seen just as much foreign occupiers as kin CEREC as much foreign occupiers as kin CEREC as much foreign occupiers as kin CEREC and the Vandals had been and this was and the Vandals had been and this was and the Vandals had been and this was exacerbated because though the GaAs exacerbated because though the GaAs exacerbated because though the GaAs supported a vitas there was a certain supported a vitas there was a certain supported a vitas there was a certain implied quid pro quo that the new implied quid pro quo that the new implied quid pro quo that the new emperor could not ignore emperor could not ignore emperor could not ignore so as the citizens of Rome took stock of

so as the citizens of Rome took stock of so as the citizens of Rome took stock of the damage done by the Vandals they were the damage done by the Vandals they were the damage done by the Vandals they were mighty annoyed to find a Vedas sigh mighty annoyed to find a Vedas sigh mighty annoyed to find a Vedas sigh spinning off what little wealth was left spinning off what little wealth was left spinning off what little wealth was left and using it to pay his gothic and using it to pay his gothic and using it to pay his gothic supporters from his perspective Avitus supporters from his perspective Avitus supporters from his perspective Avitus was simply using his imperial authority was simply using his imperial authority was simply using his imperial authority to pay soldiers in the employ of the to pay soldiers in the employ of the to pay soldiers in the employ of the empire but to the Italians it looked a empire but to the Italians it looked a empire but to the Italians it looked a lot like he was finishing what the lot like he was finishing what the lot like he was finishing what the Vandals had started discontentment Vandals had started discontentment Vandals had started discontentment spread and then to make matters worse spread and then to make matters worse spread and then to make matters worse famine once again reared its ugly head famine once again reared its ugly head famine once again reared its ugly head Avitus was blamed for the grain Avitus was blamed for the grain Avitus was blamed for the grain shortages even though there was little shortages even though there was little shortages even though there was little he could do about it by the autumn of he could do about it by the autumn of he could do about it by the autumn of 456 it was clear that it was time to get 456 it was clear that it was time to get 456 it was clear that it was time to get out of Rome while the getting was good out of Rome while the getting was good out of Rome while the getting was good better to head back to Gaul where the better to head back to Gaul where the better to head back to Gaul where the climate was better but he would never climate was better but he would never climate was better but he would never get off the peninsula Ric imir had get off the peninsula Ric imir had get off the peninsula Ric imir had demonstrated his military talent demonstrated his military talent demonstrated his military talent throughout the summer by besting the throughout the summer by besting the throughout the summer by besting the vandals in skirmish after skirmish vandals in skirmish after skirmish vandals in skirmish after skirmish eventually forcing Genseric to recall eventually forcing Genseric to recall eventually forcing Genseric to recall his men and take stock of his sudden his men and take stock of his sudden his men and take stock of his sudden change in fortune the year before the change in fortune the year before the change in fortune the year before the Vandal King had stood on the Capitoline Vandal King had stood on the Capitoline Vandal King had stood on the Capitoline Hill deciding whether or not to burn Hill deciding whether or not to burn Hill deciding whether or not to burn Rome to the ground and now his men Rome to the ground and now his men Rome to the ground and now his men couldn't even raid the coast of Sicily couldn't even raid the coast of Sicily couldn't even raid the coast of Sicily without getting tripped up Ric imir was without getting tripped up Ric imir was without getting tripped up Ric imir was clearly a man who knew what he was doing clearly a man who knew what he was doing clearly a man who knew what he was doing riding high on these victories the riding high on these victories the riding high on these victories the germanic general returned to the germanic general returned to the germanic general returned to the mainland and began plotting with mainland and began plotting with mainland and began plotting with Maggiore n' to dispense with their rival Maggiore n' to dispense with their rival Maggiore n' to dispense with their rival for power the critical mistake Avitus

for power the critical mistake Avitus for power the critical mistake Avitus made and the catalyst that triggered made and the catalyst that triggered made and the catalyst that triggered Maggiore in' and Ric amore to act was Maggiore in' and Ric amore to act was Maggiore in' and Ric amore to act was his decision to send his gothic allies his decision to send his gothic allies his decision to send his gothic allies on ahead of him as I just noted that had on ahead of him as I just noted that had on ahead of him as I just noted that had become a political liability and so he become a political liability and so he become a political liability and so he ordered them back to Gaul even though ordered them back to Gaul even though ordered them back to Gaul even though their presence was the main reason he their presence was the main reason he their presence was the main reason he wasn't being directly attacked but wasn't being directly attacked but wasn't being directly attacked but Avitus misjudged the situation and Avitus misjudged the situation and Avitus misjudged the situation and thought that sending the Goths off would thought that sending the Goths off would thought that sending the Goths off would ease tensions rather than flare them up ease tensions rather than flare them up ease tensions rather than flare them up but flare them up it did with the vitas but flare them up it did with the vitas but flare them up it did with the vitas now essentially alone in Italy Ricca now essentially alone in Italy Ricca now essentially alone in Italy Ricca myrrh and Maggiore and pounced the myrrh and Maggiore and pounced the myrrh and Maggiore and pounced the italian legions moved on a Vitas as the italian legions moved on a Vitas as the italian legions moved on a Vitas as the Emperor neared Ravenna Emperor neared Ravenna Emperor neared Ravenna Avitus closed ranks in the capital city Avitus closed ranks in the capital city Avitus closed ranks in the capital city with the forces he had left and may have with the forces he had left and may have with the forces he had left and may have been able to hold out for reinforcements been able to hold out for reinforcements been able to hold out for reinforcements from Gaul but unfortunately the terms of from Gaul but unfortunately the terms of from Gaul but unfortunately the terms of securing gothic loyalty now came back to securing gothic loyalty now came back to securing gothic loyalty now came back to bite him in exchange for supporting his bite him in exchange for supporting his bite him in exchange for supporting his claim to power the Vitas had offered claim to power the Vitas had offered claim to power the Vitas had offered Theodoric the opportunity to expand Theodoric the opportunity to expand Theodoric the opportunity to expand gosto minion into Spain Theodoric had gosto minion into Spain Theodoric had gosto minion into Spain Theodoric had immediately invaded the Iberian immediately invaded the Iberian immediately invaded the Iberian Peninsula and tried to take it over so Peninsula and tried to take it over so Peninsula and tried to take it over so in the desperate call came in from a in the desperate call came in from a in the desperate call came in from a Vitas for Fyodor to come down to Italy Vitas for Fyodor to come down to Italy Vitas for Fyodor to come down to Italy and help him defeat and help him defeat and help him defeat Ricca myrrh and Maggiore n' the Goths Ricca myrrh and Maggiore n' the Goths Ricca myrrh and Maggiore n' the Goths were bogged down fighting in Spain and a were bogged down fighting in Spain and a were bogged down fighting in Spain and a Vitas was on his own the now floundering Vitas was on his own the now floundering Vitas was on his own the now floundering Emperor faced his adversaries near the

Emperor faced his adversaries near the Emperor faced his adversaries near the city of Piacenza but it was hopeless city of Piacenza but it was hopeless city of Piacenza but it was hopeless from the start from the start from the start Ricca myrrh and Maggiore uns forces Ricca myrrh and Maggiore uns forces Ricca myrrh and Maggiore uns forces overwhelmed him and a Vitas fled into overwhelmed him and a Vitas fled into overwhelmed him and a Vitas fled into the city in October of 456 Avitus was the city in October of 456 Avitus was the city in October of 456 Avitus was officially deposed by majora and placed officially deposed by majora and placed officially deposed by majora and placed under house arrest in an interesting under house arrest in an interesting under house arrest in an interesting twist the deposed Emperor was not twist the deposed Emperor was not twist the deposed Emperor was not immediately executed as you would have immediately executed as you would have immediately executed as you would have expected given the circumstances instead expected given the circumstances instead expected given the circumstances instead he was forced to renounce his titles and he was forced to renounce his titles and he was forced to renounce his titles and property and agreed to become the Bishop property and agreed to become the Bishop property and agreed to become the Bishop of Piacenza a curious form of punishment of Piacenza a curious form of punishment of Piacenza a curious form of punishment but one that removed a Vitas from the but one that removed a Vitas from the but one that removed a Vitas from the political picture he was about 60 years political picture he was about 60 years political picture he was about 60 years old and had ruled the Empire for 15 old and had ruled the Empire for 15 old and had ruled the Empire for 15 months it isn't entirely clear why Ric months it isn't entirely clear why Ric months it isn't entirely clear why Ric imir and maggiorin decided to leave imir and maggiorin decided to leave imir and maggiorin decided to leave Avitus alive but it may have had Avitus alive but it may have had Avitus alive but it may have had something to do with currying favor with something to do with currying favor with something to do with currying favor with the eastern emperor Marcion who though the eastern emperor Marcion who though the eastern emperor Marcion who though he had never supported Oh Venus may not he had never supported Oh Venus may not he had never supported Oh Venus may not have been impressed by his cold-blooded have been impressed by his cold-blooded have been impressed by his cold-blooded execution either the reason I say this execution either the reason I say this execution either the reason I say this is because Martian continued to play coy is because Martian continued to play coy is because Martian continued to play coy with the would-be emperors of the West with the would-be emperors of the West with the would-be emperors of the West even after the fall of Avitus and so even after the fall of Avitus and so even after the fall of Avitus and so during the winter of 456 57 of Dita's during the winter of 456 57 of Dita's during the winter of 456 57 of Dita's lived but in January of 457 lived but in January of 457 lived but in January of 457 Marcion died and shortly thereafter Marcion died and shortly thereafter Marcion died and shortly thereafter Avitus was killed Avitus was killed Avitus was killed Marcion by the way was 65 years old and

Marcion by the way was 65 years old and Marcion by the way was 65 years old and had been emperor of the east for seven had been emperor of the east for seven had been emperor of the east for seven years his passing marks the official end years his passing marks the official end years his passing marks the official end of the Theodosia dynasty and the of the Theodosia dynasty and the of the Theodosia dynasty and the extended Valentinian Theodosia dynasty extended Valentinian Theodosia dynasty extended Valentinian Theodosia dynasty that had ruled the east for almost a that had ruled the east for almost a that had ruled the east for almost a hundred years marcin's passing appears hundred years marcin's passing appears hundred years marcin's passing appears to have marked the end of leniency for to have marked the end of leniency for to have marked the end of leniency for Avitus because shortly after the eastern Avitus because shortly after the eastern Avitus because shortly after the eastern augustus died the deposed western augustus died the deposed western augustus died the deposed western augustus was either strangled or starved augustus was either strangled or starved augustus was either strangled or starved at Maggiore ins order which is why I at Maggiore ins order which is why I at Maggiore ins order which is why I personally suspect the negotiations with personally suspect the negotiations with personally suspect the negotiations with Constantinople had some kind of impact Constantinople had some kind of impact Constantinople had some kind of impact on a vitas curious fate because on a vitas curious fate because on a vitas curious fate because otherwise why keep him alive just to otherwise why keep him alive just to otherwise why keep him alive just to kill him but there is another possible kill him but there is another possible kill him but there is another possible explanation just as a Vitas didn't have explanation just as a Vitas didn't have explanation just as a Vitas didn't have the support of the Italians Maggiore the support of the Italians Maggiore the support of the Italians Maggiore inand Ricka mer didn't really have the inand Ricka mer didn't really have the inand Ricka mer didn't really have the support of the Gauls by keeping a Vitas support of the Gauls by keeping a Vitas support of the Gauls by keeping a Vitas alive they may have been hoping to alive they may have been hoping to alive they may have been hoping to prevent a Gallic uprising but our prevent a Gallic uprising but our prevent a Gallic uprising but our sources hint that an uprising in golf sources hint that an uprising in golf sources hint that an uprising in golf started up anyway as most of the started up anyway as most of the started up anyway as most of the nobility and certainly to Goths nobility and certainly to Goths nobility and certainly to Goths continued to recognize Vitas as the continued to recognize Vitas as the continued to recognize Vitas as the legitimate Emperor so rather than allow legitimate Emperor so rather than allow legitimate Emperor so rather than allow a rallying point to live Maggiore a rallying point to live Maggiore a rallying point to live Maggiore inhabit is killed in early 457 but now inhabit is killed in early 457 but now inhabit is killed in early 457 but now the situation was really muddled martien the situation was really muddled martien the situation was really muddled martien was dead so there was no emperor in the

was dead so there was no emperor in the was dead so there was no emperor in the East a Vitas was deposed and then killed East a Vitas was deposed and then killed East a Vitas was deposed and then killed and maggiorin not yet elevated so and maggiorin not yet elevated so and maggiorin not yet elevated so there's no emperor in the West so who there's no emperor in the West so who there's no emperor in the West so who was running the show the answer of was running the show the answer of was running the show the answer of course was the barbarian generals that course was the barbarian generals that course was the barbarian generals that good and proper Romans refused to let good and proper Romans refused to let good and proper Romans refused to let rule in their own right in the West that rule in their own right in the West that rule in their own right in the West that meant Ricca mer who was trying to rule meant Ricca mer who was trying to rule meant Ricca mer who was trying to rule the West in his own right with a the West in his own right with a the West in his own right with a commission granted by Constantinople but commission granted by Constantinople but commission granted by Constantinople but who would settle for making Maggiore in who would settle for making Maggiore in who would settle for making Maggiore in a puppet Emperor in the east we are a puppet Emperor in the east we are a puppet Emperor in the east we are still talking about still talking about still talking about gasbar the ethnic Ilan who had helped gasbar the ethnic Ilan who had helped gasbar the ethnic Ilan who had helped settle the vandal question back in the settle the vandal question back in the settle the vandal question back in the fourth 30s and who had remained a fourth 30s and who had remained a fourth 30s and who had remained a powerful force in Constantinople ever powerful force in Constantinople ever powerful force in Constantinople ever since when Marcion died in late January since when Marcion died in late January since when Marcion died in late January 457 the Eastern Court debated for 11 457 the Eastern Court debated for 11 457 the Eastern Court debated for 11 days who would succeed him at first it days who would succeed him at first it days who would succeed him at first it appeared that Marcy and son-in-law and appeared that Marcy and son-in-law and appeared that Marcy and son-in-law and semi as' grandson of the Praetorian semi as' grandson of the Praetorian semi as' grandson of the Praetorian prefect Antonius who had built the prefect Antonius who had built the prefect Antonius who had built the Theodosian walls would get the nod but a Theodosian walls would get the nod but a Theodosian walls would get the nod but a sparse stepped in and pushed for a sparse stepped in and pushed for a sparse stepped in and pushed for a Thracian general named Leo pass bar Thracian general named Leo pass bar Thracian general named Leo pass bar finally got his way and I'll February finally got his way and I'll February finally got his way and I'll February the 7th 457 Leo was crowned Emperor Leo the 7th 457 Leo was crowned Emperor Leo the 7th 457 Leo was crowned Emperor Leo the first the new emperor was supposed the first the new emperor was supposed the first the new emperor was supposed to be a weak-willed puppet who a spark to be a weak-willed puppet who a spark to be a weak-willed puppet who a spark could control but it quickly became could control but it quickly became could control but it quickly became apparent that Leo had a will of his own but the elevation of Leo had little

but the elevation of Leo had little immediate impact on the question of who immediate impact on the question of who immediate impact on the question of who controlled the West next week though Ric controlled the West next week though Ric controlled the West next week though Ric imir and maggiorin will sort it out for imir and maggiorin will sort it out for imir and maggiorin will sort it out for themselves tired of waiting for themselves tired of waiting for themselves tired of waiting for Constantinople to nominate someone Constantinople to nominate someone Constantinople to nominate someone anyone to rule Ric imir will resign anyone to rule Ric imir will resign anyone to rule Ric imir will resign himself to the fact that he will not be himself to the fact that he will not be himself to the fact that he will not be able to rule the West in his own right able to rule the West in his own right able to rule the West in his own right and instead he will push Maggiore in' to and instead he will push Maggiore in' to and instead he will push Maggiore in' to become augustus by sheer coincidence it become augustus by sheer coincidence it become augustus by sheer coincidence it was on April the 1st 457 ad exactly was on April the 1st 457 ad exactly was on April the 1st 457 ad exactly fifteen hundred and fifty five years ago fifteen hundred and fifty five years ago fifteen hundred and fifty five years ago that maggiorin became emperor of the that maggiorin became emperor of the that maggiorin became emperor of the Western Empire Western Empire Western Empire [Music] [Music] [Music] hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome hello and welcome to the history of Rome episode 175 trying to take it all back following the defeat deposition and following the defeat deposition and execution of Avitus the Western Empire

execution of Avitus the Western Empire execution of Avitus the Western Empire was once again left without an was once again left without an was once again left without an officially recognized ruler at least officially recognized ruler at least officially recognized ruler at least that's how the leaders of the West that's how the leaders of the West that's how the leaders of the West looked at it looked at it looked at it according to Constantinople the western according to Constantinople the western according to Constantinople the western half of the empire had been without a half of the empire had been without a half of the empire had been without a ruler since the assassination of ruler since the assassination of ruler since the assassination of Valentinian the third almost two years Valentinian the third almost two years Valentinian the third almost two years before the eastern Augustus Marcion had before the eastern Augustus Marcion had before the eastern Augustus Marcion had never recognized Petronius maximus or a never recognized Petronius maximus or a never recognized Petronius maximus or a partyís Avitus and it didn't look like partyís Avitus and it didn't look like partyís Avitus and it didn't look like he had any interest in recognizing the he had any interest in recognizing the he had any interest in recognizing the new would be Emperor Maggiore in either new would be Emperor Maggiore in either new would be Emperor Maggiore in either the general rickum er tried to exploit the general rickum er tried to exploit the general rickum er tried to exploit this unwillingness on the part of the this unwillingness on the part of the this unwillingness on the part of the east to legitimize the emperors of the east to legitimize the emperors of the east to legitimize the emperors of the west by attempting to secure a sort of west by attempting to secure a sort of west by attempting to secure a sort of viceroy commission for himself to viceroy commission for himself to viceroy commission for himself to personally rule the western provinces personally rule the western provinces personally rule the western provinces but in the name of constantinople but in the name of constantinople but in the name of constantinople but then Marcion died and Leo the but then Marcion died and Leo the but then Marcion died and Leo the Thracian became emperor of the East and Thracian became emperor of the East and Thracian became emperor of the East and he didn't appear keen to recognize he didn't appear keen to recognize he didn't appear keen to recognize Maggiore in his Emperor for let recover Maggiore in his Emperor for let recover Maggiore in his Emperor for let recover rule as a Viceroy which was no doubt a rule as a Viceroy which was no doubt a rule as a Viceroy which was no doubt a little frustrating for them especially little frustrating for them especially little frustrating for them especially since Leo had no more claim to power since Leo had no more claim to power since Leo had no more claim to power than they did marcin at least had the than they did marcin at least had the than they did marcin at least had the lingering legitimacy of having married lingering legitimacy of having married lingering legitimacy of having married into the imperial Theodosian family Leo into the imperial Theodosian family Leo into the imperial Theodosian family Leo was just some general so whatever was just some general so whatever was just some general so whatever by the spring of 457 auricular finally by the spring of 457 auricular finally by the spring of 457 auricular finally gave up on the idea of becoming Viceroy gave up on the idea of becoming Viceroy gave up on the idea of becoming Viceroy and knowing that the Italian nobility and knowing that the Italian nobility and knowing that the Italian nobility would never accept him as Emperor would never accept him as Emperor would never accept him as Emperor because of his German heritage he backed

because of his German heritage he backed because of his German heritage he backed his protege Maggiore in' for the job in his protege Maggiore in' for the job in his protege Maggiore in' for the job in a ceremony in Ravenna on April the 1st a ceremony in Ravenna on April the 1st a ceremony in Ravenna on April the 1st maggiorin was crowned with the diadem maggiorin was crowned with the diadem maggiorin was crowned with the diadem and took over official control of the and took over official control of the and took over official control of the West but though the diadem set on West but though the diadem set on West but though the diadem set on Maggiore ins head it was clear that he Maggiore ins head it was clear that he Maggiore ins head it was clear that he was really Coe ruling with Ric imir Leo was really Coe ruling with Ric imir Leo was really Coe ruling with Ric imir Leo and the court of Constanta know and the court of Constanta know and the court of Constanta know did not immediately recognize Maggiore did not immediately recognize Maggiore did not immediately recognize Maggiore in' but really at this point who cared in' but really at this point who cared in' but really at this point who cared what they said it's not like Maggiore n' what they said it's not like Maggiore n' what they said it's not like Maggiore n' was so offensive to the east that they was so offensive to the east that they was so offensive to the east that they were going to raise an army to throw were going to raise an army to throw were going to raise an army to throw amount of power so you guys do what you amount of power so you guys do what you amount of power so you guys do what you want we'll be over here running the West want we'll be over here running the West want we'll be over here running the West but the West was now a pale shadow of but the West was now a pale shadow of but the West was now a pale shadow of its former self Britain was gone North its former self Britain was gone North its former self Britain was gone North Africa was gone Africa was gone Africa was gone most of Gaul was split between barbarian most of Gaul was split between barbarian most of Gaul was split between barbarian factions and Spain was now slowly but factions and Spain was now slowly but factions and Spain was now slowly but surely being conquered by the Goths and surely being conquered by the Goths and surely being conquered by the Goths and you can be sure that the Goths had no you can be sure that the Goths had no you can be sure that the Goths had no interest in letting Maggiore and tell interest in letting Maggiore and tell interest in letting Maggiore and tell them what to do so when the two generals them what to do so when the two generals them what to do so when the two generals seized power seized power seized power they were basically seizing control of they were basically seizing control of they were basically seizing control of Italy and only Italy everything else was Italy and only Italy everything else was Italy and only Italy everything else was out of their control the Romans had not out of their control the Romans had not out of their control the Romans had not been so geographically circumscribed been so geographically circumscribed been so geographically circumscribed since the days just before the Punic since the days just before the Punic since the days just before the Punic Wars some seven hundred years earlier Wars some seven hundred years earlier Wars some seven hundred years earlier but Maggiore in' and ric imir were but Maggiore in' and ric imir were but Maggiore in' and ric imir were ambitious men and vigorous soldiers they ambitious men and vigorous soldiers they ambitious men and vigorous soldiers they were not going to be content with were not going to be content with were not going to be content with sitting around Ravenna running out the

sitting around Ravenna running out the sitting around Ravenna running out the clock governing the Italian peninsula no clock governing the Italian peninsula no clock governing the Italian peninsula no they were going to push back against the they were going to push back against the they were going to push back against the tide of history they wanted it all back tide of history they wanted it all back tide of history they wanted it all back Gaul Spain North Africa Gaul Spain North Africa Gaul Spain North Africa hell even Britain if they could swing it hell even Britain if they could swing it hell even Britain if they could swing it in the minds of Ric Amira Maggiore in' in the minds of Ric Amira Maggiore in' in the minds of Ric Amira Maggiore in' their rise to power was going to be a their rise to power was going to be a their rise to power was going to be a turning point in history the moment when turning point in history the moment when turning point in history the moment when the Western Empire returned to glory but the Western Empire returned to glory but the Western Empire returned to glory but though as we're about to see they made a though as we're about to see they made a though as we're about to see they made a pretty good run at it in the end the pretty good run at it in the end the pretty good run at it in the end the tide of history was too great to tide of history was too great to tide of history was too great to overcome that and the petty jealousies overcome that and the petty jealousies overcome that and the petty jealousies that so often ruin good work just as that so often ruin good work just as that so often ruin good work just as it's getting started majora and recover it's getting started majora and recover it's getting started majora and recover spent the rest of 4:57 consolidating spent the rest of 4:57 consolidating spent the rest of 4:57 consolidating their hold over Italy there appears to their hold over Italy there appears to their hold over Italy there appears to have been some sort of attempt by the have been some sort of attempt by the have been some sort of attempt by the alemana to take advantage of the chaos alemana to take advantage of the chaos alemana to take advantage of the chaos by possibly rating over the Alps or at by possibly rating over the Alps or at by possibly rating over the Alps or at least getting ready to raid over the least getting ready to raid over the least getting ready to raid over the Alps because right off the bat maggiorin Alps because right off the bat maggiorin Alps because right off the bat maggiorin is credited with winning some sort of is credited with winning some sort of is credited with winning some sort of victory against the Germans victory against the Germans victory against the Germans for the next year and a half the new for the next year and a half the new for the next year and a half the new regime focused its attention primarily regime focused its attention primarily regime focused its attention primarily on questions of Italian security but on questions of Italian security but on questions of Italian security but they also began to make legislative they also began to make legislative they also began to make legislative claims on Gaul when it came to Italy claims on Gaul when it came to Italy claims on Gaul when it came to Italy the biggest threat was obviously posed the biggest threat was obviously posed the biggest threat was obviously posed by the Vandals the rickum er had beaten by the Vandals the rickum er had beaten by the Vandals the rickum er had beaten them back in 456 the Vandals had them back in 456 the Vandals had them back in 456 the Vandals had regrouped and started raiding the regrouped and started raiding the regrouped and started raiding the Italian coastline again at some point in

Italian coastline again at some point in Italian coastline again at some point in 458 Maggiore in himself led a 458 Maggiore in himself led a 458 Maggiore in himself led a counter-attack against a force of counter-attack against a force of counter-attack against a force of vandals invading Italy and against vandals invading Italy and against vandals invading Italy and against Eric's brother-in-law was killed in the Eric's brother-in-law was killed in the Eric's brother-in-law was killed in the fighting to help secure the peninsula in fighting to help secure the peninsula in fighting to help secure the peninsula in the long term maggiorin initiated the the long term maggiorin initiated the the long term maggiorin initiated the reconstruction of the Roman Navy a reconstruction of the Roman Navy a reconstruction of the Roman Navy a branch of the Armed Forces that had been branch of the Armed Forces that had been branch of the Armed Forces that had been completely neglected in recent years completely neglected in recent years completely neglected in recent years with one fleet based on the Turanian with one fleet based on the Turanian with one fleet based on the Turanian coast and another based in Ravenna coast and another based in Ravenna coast and another based in Ravenna Maggiore in hope to bring an end to 25 Maggiore in hope to bring an end to 25 Maggiore in hope to bring an end to 25 years of the Vandals controlling the years of the Vandals controlling the years of the Vandals controlling the Seas in the midst of these operations Seas in the midst of these operations Seas in the midst of these operations maggiorin received a critical boost to maggiorin received a critical boost to maggiorin received a critical boost to his legitimacy in December 457 when n his legitimacy in December 457 when n his legitimacy in December 457 when n boys from Constantinople arrived with boys from Constantinople arrived with boys from Constantinople arrived with the news that Leo had decided to the news that Leo had decided to the news that Leo had decided to officially recognize Maggiore n' as his officially recognize Maggiore n' as his officially recognize Maggiore n' as his co ruler for the first time in almost co ruler for the first time in almost co ruler for the first time in almost three years east and west were on the three years east and west were on the three years east and west were on the same page constantinople stamp of same page constantinople stamp of same page constantinople stamp of approval was going to make it hard for approval was going to make it hard for approval was going to make it hard for the citizens of the west to argue that the citizens of the west to argue that the citizens of the west to argue that Maggiore was somehow illegitimate but Maggiore was somehow illegitimate but Maggiore was somehow illegitimate but even still the political military and even still the political military and even still the political military and religious leadership in gaul were religious leadership in gaul were religious leadership in gaul were thoroughly disdainful of Maggiore n' thoroughly disdainful of Maggiore n' thoroughly disdainful of Maggiore n' they were not ready to forgive or forget they were not ready to forgive or forget they were not ready to forgive or forget the overthrow of their man Avitus the overthrow of their man Avitus the overthrow of their man Avitus throughout 4:58 there's evidence that on throughout 4:58 there's evidence that on throughout 4:58 there's evidence that on questions of taxation the Gallic questions of taxation the Gallic questions of taxation the Gallic nobility appealed directly to nobility appealed directly to nobility appealed directly to Constantinople for rulings and that Constantinople for rulings and that Constantinople for rulings and that inscriptions from Lyon were dated only

inscriptions from Lyon were dated only inscriptions from Lyon were dated only with reference to Leo no mention is made with reference to Leo no mention is made with reference to Leo no mention is made of maggiorin there is also a passing of maggiorin there is also a passing of maggiorin there is also a passing reference made to a Marcel Linnaean reference made to a Marcel Linnaean reference made to a Marcel Linnaean revolt whatever that was and whichever revolt whatever that was and whichever revolt whatever that was and whichever Marcellinus happened to be leading it majora and recover wanted Gaul to majora and recover wanted Gaul to recognize their authority but they were recognize their authority but they were recognize their authority but they were not so blind to think that they were not so blind to think that they were not so blind to think that they were just going to get it for nothing so just going to get it for nothing so just going to get it for nothing so while they built a force of barbarian while they built a force of barbarian while they built a force of barbarian mercenaries that they plan to use to mercenaries that they plan to use to mercenaries that they plan to use to enforce their will in Gaul they also enforce their will in Gaul they also enforce their will in Gaul they also laid the groundwork for a friendlier laid the groundwork for a friendlier laid the groundwork for a friendlier reception than the Gauls were probably reception than the Gauls were probably reception than the Gauls were probably planning on giving them right at that planning on giving them right at that planning on giving them right at that moment and when you are a new ruler moment and when you are a new ruler moment and when you are a new ruler looking to make nice with a bunch of looking to make nice with a bunch of looking to make nice with a bunch of people who are not at all predisposed to people who are not at all predisposed to people who are not at all predisposed to liking you what is the number one liking you what is the number one liking you what is the number one surefire way to bring them around did surefire way to bring them around did surefire way to bring them around did someone say tax relief I thought I heard someone say tax relief I thought I heard someone say tax relief I thought I heard somebody say tax relief which would be somebody say tax relief which would be somebody say tax relief which would be good because the answer is tax relief as good because the answer is tax relief as good because the answer is tax relief as was so often the case the collection of was so often the case the collection of was so often the case the collection of taxes was these days and intermittent taxes was these days and intermittent taxes was these days and intermittent and corrupt sort of thing the richest and corrupt sort of thing the richest and corrupt sort of thing the richest landowners did their best to avoid landowners did their best to avoid landowners did their best to avoid giving anything to the central giving anything to the central giving anything to the central government another one of the 257 government another one of the 257 government another one of the 257 different reasons why the Western Empire different reasons why the Western Empire different reasons why the Western Empire fell which meant that the civil fell which meant that the civil fell which meant that the civil authorities were forever coming up short authorities were forever coming up short authorities were forever coming up short on the total do the rules of the game on the total do the rules of the game on the total do the rules of the game specified that if they failed to collect specified that if they failed to collect specified that if they failed to collect the proper taxes that the civil the proper taxes that the civil the proper taxes that the civil authorities themselves would be on the

authorities themselves would be on the authorities themselves would be on the hook for the shortfall but these civil hook for the shortfall but these civil hook for the shortfall but these civil authorities called appeareance authorities called appeareance authorities called appeareance where themselves basically middle-class where themselves basically middle-class where themselves basically middle-class bureaucrats who had no great fortunes to bureaucrats who had no great fortunes to bureaucrats who had no great fortunes to draw upon and who wielded no significant draw upon and who wielded no significant draw upon and who wielded no significant power over the people who did have great power over the people who did have great power over the people who did have great fortunes to draw upon and so they fortunes to draw upon and so they fortunes to draw upon and so they usually wound up turning viciously on usually wound up turning viciously on usually wound up turning viciously on the lower classes to extort every last the lower classes to extort every last the lower classes to extort every last dollar they could find even then they dollar they could find even then they dollar they could find even then they all wound up woefully short so the all wound up woefully short so the all wound up woefully short so the bottom line was that everyone owed the bottom line was that everyone owed the bottom line was that everyone owed the central government obscene amounts of central government obscene amounts of central government obscene amounts of back taxes and the middle and lower back taxes and the middle and lower back taxes and the middle and lower classes were being squeezed to death so classes were being squeezed to death so classes were being squeezed to death so majority and pass laws specifically majority and pass laws specifically majority and pass laws specifically pertaining to Gaul that tried to rein in pertaining to Gaul that tried to rein in pertaining to Gaul that tried to rein in the rampant corruption and then announce the rampant corruption and then announce the rampant corruption and then announce that the back tax debt was hereby that the back tax debt was hereby that the back tax debt was hereby canceled so I can't be all bad canceled so I can't be all bad canceled so I can't be all bad in the autumn of 458 Maggiore and in the autumn of 458 Maggiore and in the autumn of 458 Maggiore and marched over the Alps at the head of a marched over the Alps at the head of a marched over the Alps at the head of a pretty good-sized army composed mostly pretty good-sized army composed mostly pretty good-sized army composed mostly of barbarian mercenaries to help bring of barbarian mercenaries to help bring of barbarian mercenaries to help bring Gaul under Imperial control Gaul under Imperial control Gaul under Imperial control Ricca mer de stayed behind in Italy Ricca mer de stayed behind in Italy Ricca mer de stayed behind in Italy setting up the ruling dynamic that would setting up the ruling dynamic that would setting up the ruling dynamic that would hold for the remainder of the hold for the remainder of the hold for the remainder of the partnership between the two men Maggiore partnership between the two men Maggiore partnership between the two men Maggiore and traversing the provinces trying to and traversing the provinces trying to and traversing the provinces trying to rebuild the empire and recover staying rebuild the empire and recover staying rebuild the empire and recover staying behind in Italy to mind the shop behind in Italy to mind the shop behind in Italy to mind the shop traveling with the Emperor was a top traveling with the Emperor was a top traveling with the Emperor was a top lieutenant who had just been promoted to lieutenant who had just been promoted to lieutenant who had just been promoted to the rank of Magister militant football the rank of Magister militant football the rank of Magister militant football with the Imperial authorities not really

with the Imperial authorities not really with the Imperial authorities not really in charge of Gaul right at the moment in charge of Gaul right at the moment in charge of Gaul right at the moment the promotion was more aspirational than the promotion was more aspirational than the promotion was more aspirational than factual but in very short order factual but in very short order factual but in very short order shorter order than one might reasonably shorter order than one might reasonably shorter order than one might reasonably expect it would be quite factual and expect it would be quite factual and expect it would be quite factual and then it would become something more so then it would become something more so then it would become something more so take note of the name eg dias the take note of the name eg dias the take note of the name eg dias the promoted officer in question because we promoted officer in question because we promoted officer in question because we are not done with him by a longshot the court of Ravenna had managed to hang the court of Ravenna had managed to hang on to the Gallic territory immediately on to the Gallic territory immediately on to the Gallic territory immediately abutting the Alps but beyond that abutting the Alps but beyond that abutting the Alps but beyond that maggiorin had his work cut out for him maggiorin had his work cut out for him maggiorin had his work cut out for him he wasted no time though and before he wasted no time though and before he wasted no time though and before winter set in he marched due west the winter set in he marched due west the winter set in he marched due west the most powerful force in Gaul was the most powerful force in Gaul was the most powerful force in Gaul was the Goths and so it was the gods who Goths and so it was the gods who Goths and so it was the gods who maggiorin would deal with first no slow maggiorin would deal with first no slow maggiorin would deal with first no slow turning of the screw no gradual turning of the screw no gradual turning of the screw no gradual tightening of the noose a stab right at tightening of the noose a stab right at tightening of the noose a stab right at the heart Theodoric the second mustered the heart Theodoric the second mustered the heart Theodoric the second mustered an army when it became clear that the an army when it became clear that the an army when it became clear that the emperor was on his way because there was emperor was on his way because there was emperor was on his way because there was no way he was just going to roll over a no way he was just going to roll over a no way he was just going to roll over a Vitas had finally given the Goths Vitas had finally given the Goths Vitas had finally given the Goths license to territorially expand to their license to territorially expand to their license to territorially expand to their heart's content heart's content heart's content Theodoric planned to defend that right Theodoric planned to defend that right Theodoric planned to defend that right to the hilt in late 458 the two armies to the hilt in late 458 the two armies to the hilt in late 458 the two armies faced off at our site of so many Roman faced off at our site of so many Roman faced off at our site of so many Roman goth confrontations but a willingness to goth confrontations but a willingness to goth confrontations but a willingness to defend something to the hilt is no defend something to the hilt is no defend something to the hilt is no guarantee of success

guarantee of success guarantee of success maggiore ins army smashed the goths up maggiore ins army smashed the goths up maggiore ins army smashed the goths up and won a decisive victory Theodoric was and won a decisive victory Theodoric was and won a decisive victory Theodoric was forced to concede the rights of Vitas forced to concede the rights of Vitas forced to concede the rights of Vitas had given him and it was back to being a had given him and it was back to being a had given him and it was back to being a federated ally of Rome to be used and federated ally of Rome to be used and federated ally of Rome to be used and not used a true Venice discretion with not used a true Venice discretion with not used a true Venice discretion with the Goths cowed the gallo-roman nobility the Goths cowed the gallo-roman nobility the Goths cowed the gallo-roman nobility had to take a good hard look at the had to take a good hard look at the had to take a good hard look at the situation and decide how much they were situation and decide how much they were situation and decide how much they were going to continue to resist the new going to continue to resist the new going to continue to resist the new regime they may not like Maggiore in' or regime they may not like Maggiore in' or regime they may not like Maggiore in' or what he had done to Avitus but man look what he had done to Avitus but man look what he had done to Avitus but man look at what he just did to the Goths for his at what he just did to the Goths for his at what he just did to the Goths for his part the emperor was not looking to part the emperor was not looking to part the emperor was not looking to punish their initial reluctance to back punish their initial reluctance to back punish their initial reluctance to back him he adopted a conciliatory posture him he adopted a conciliatory posture him he adopted a conciliatory posture and offered top positions in his and offered top positions in his and offered top positions in his government two members of the Gallic government two members of the Gallic government two members of the Gallic aristocracy coupled with the aristocracy coupled with the aristocracy coupled with the cancellation of the tax debts this left cancellation of the tax debts this left cancellation of the tax debts this left most of the major land owners in Gaul most of the major land owners in Gaul most of the major land owners in Gaul quietly accepting Maggiore ins Authority quietly accepting Maggiore ins Authority quietly accepting Maggiore ins Authority which was good for the Emperor because which was good for the Emperor because which was good for the Emperor because he was really not trying to get bogged he was really not trying to get bogged he was really not trying to get bogged down in Gaul he wanted to move on to his down in Gaul he wanted to move on to his down in Gaul he wanted to move on to his Fania and reassert imperial authority Fania and reassert imperial authority Fania and reassert imperial authority there but maggiorin was also hoping to there but maggiorin was also hoping to there but maggiorin was also hoping to not get bogged down in his spawn yet not get bogged down in his spawn yet not get bogged down in his spawn yet because his ultimate goal was to use the because his ultimate goal was to use the because his ultimate goal was to use the ports of Spain as a springboard for an ports of Spain as a springboard for an ports of Spain as a springboard for an invasion of North Africa and this was invasion of North Africa and this was invasion of North Africa and this was his real dream to expel the Vandals from his real dream to expel the Vandals from his real dream to expel the Vandals from Carthage once and for all Carthage once and for all Carthage once and for all pull that off and he becomes one of the

pull that off and he becomes one of the pull that off and he becomes one of the greatest emperors in Roman history a greatest emperors in Roman history a greatest emperors in Roman history a sort of mini aurelion who reunites a sort of mini aurelion who reunites a sort of mini aurelion who reunites a broken Empire but first he had to make broken Empire but first he had to make broken Empire but first he had to make sure that he was launching from a secure sure that he was launching from a secure sure that he was launching from a secure base the lambs taken by the Goths were base the lambs taken by the Goths were base the lambs taken by the Goths were easily redrawn onto the Roman side of easily redrawn onto the Roman side of easily redrawn onto the Roman side of the map but actually securing them in the map but actually securing them in the map but actually securing them in fact was a different story the locals fact was a different story the locals fact was a different story the locals were starting to get ideas that maybe were starting to get ideas that maybe were starting to get ideas that maybe they didn't need to listen to anyone they didn't need to listen to anyone they didn't need to listen to anyone anymore anymore anymore and so Maggiore inhabit yes there is and so Maggiore inhabit yes there is and so Maggiore inhabit yes there is still an empire and yes you still need still an empire and yes you still need still an empire and yes you still need to pay your taxes Maggiore n' to finally to pay your taxes Maggiore n' to finally to pay your taxes Maggiore n' to finally lance a bow lance a bow lance a bow that had been festering up in northern that had been festering up in northern that had been festering up in northern Spain since way back right after the Spain since way back right after the Spain since way back right after the great New Year's Eve barbarian invasion great New Year's Eve barbarian invasion great New Year's Eve barbarian invasion of 405 a Germanic tribe called the Swede of 405 a Germanic tribe called the Swede of 405 a Germanic tribe called the Swede I had followed the Vandals and Ilan's I had followed the Vandals and Ilan's I had followed the Vandals and Ilan's into Spain but they had stayed behind into Spain but they had stayed behind into Spain but they had stayed behind when concer clawed his people across the when concer clawed his people across the when concer clawed his people across the Strait of Gibraltar ever since they had Strait of Gibraltar ever since they had Strait of Gibraltar ever since they had lived as a small de facto independent lived as a small de facto independent lived as a small de facto independent kingdom in northwest Spain maggiorin kingdom in northwest Spain maggiorin kingdom in northwest Spain maggiorin planned to crush them and return the planned to crush them and return the planned to crush them and return the whole of the peninsula to direct whole of the peninsula to direct whole of the peninsula to direct Imperial control couple this with his Imperial control couple this with his Imperial control couple this with his plan to retake North Africa and it is plan to retake North Africa and it is plan to retake North Africa and it is clear that Maggiore 'n wanted to write clear that Maggiore 'n wanted to write clear that Maggiore 'n wanted to write the final chapter of the new years the final chapter of the new years the final chapter of the new years invade them by destroying the last invade them by destroying the last invade them by destroying the last remnants of the invaders while his army

remnants of the invaders while his army remnants of the invaders while his army was off campaigning against Spanish was off campaigning against Spanish was off campaigning against Spanish holdouts Maggiore went down to the coast holdouts Maggiore went down to the coast holdouts Maggiore went down to the coast to initiate the construction of an to initiate the construction of an to initiate the construction of an invasion fleet when ghen CEREC found out invasion fleet when ghen CEREC found out invasion fleet when ghen CEREC found out what the romans were up to he started to what the romans were up to he started to what the romans were up to he started to worry a little bit worry a little bit worry a little bit this new emperor was not like previous this new emperor was not like previous this new emperor was not like previous emperors who had been docile toward and emperors who had been docile toward and emperors who had been docile toward and even a little neglectful of the Vandals even a little neglectful of the Vandals even a little neglectful of the Vandals this maggiorin on the other hand seemed this maggiorin on the other hand seemed this maggiorin on the other hand seemed obsessed the new Roman fleet under obsessed the new Roman fleet under obsessed the new Roman fleet under construction in Italy was starting to construction in Italy was starting to construction in Italy was starting to hit the water the Emperor had himself hit the water the Emperor had himself hit the water the Emperor had himself beaten the Vandals in battle and killed beaten the Vandals in battle and killed beaten the Vandals in battle and killed gints Erik's brother-in-law and now an gints Erik's brother-in-law and now an gints Erik's brother-in-law and now an invasion fleet was under construction in invasion fleet was under construction in invasion fleet was under construction in Spain Spain Spain I imagine that Ginn Sark was missing old I imagine that Ginn Sark was missing old I imagine that Ginn Sark was missing old easiest just about now so the Vandal easiest just about now so the Vandal easiest just about now so the Vandal King did what any good statesman would King did what any good statesman would King did what any good statesman would do if he started to believe that the do if he started to believe that the do if he started to believe that the military balance of power was starting military balance of power was starting military balance of power was starting to shift against him he offered to to shift against him he offered to to shift against him he offered to negotiate a settlement begin Stark's negotiate a settlement begin Stark's negotiate a settlement begin Stark's newfound desire to talk was likely met newfound desire to talk was likely met newfound desire to talk was likely met with a few incredulous guffaws with a few incredulous guffaws with a few incredulous guffaws throughout the halls of Roman power the throughout the halls of Roman power the throughout the halls of Roman power the courts of both East and West had been courts of both East and West had been courts of both East and West had been regularly sending diplomatic missions to regularly sending diplomatic missions to regularly sending diplomatic missions to North Africa since the sack of Rome North Africa since the sack of Rome North Africa since the sack of Rome trying to get the Vandals to back off trying to get the Vandals to back off trying to get the Vandals to back off and they had just as and they had just as and they had just as been greeted by a dismissive wave of the been greeted by a dismissive wave of the been greeted by a dismissive wave of the hand now that the West was rebuilding hand now that the West was rebuilding hand now that the West was rebuilding its strength now Genseric wants to talk

its strength now Genseric wants to talk its strength now Genseric wants to talk he was not going to get off that easily he was not going to get off that easily he was not going to get off that easily this time it was the Vandal emissaries this time it was the Vandal emissaries this time it was the Vandal emissaries who were dismissed rebuffed again sir who were dismissed rebuffed again sir who were dismissed rebuffed again sir took the rather extreme step of took the rather extreme step of took the rather extreme step of launching a scorched earth campaign launching a scorched earth campaign launching a scorched earth campaign against the North African province of against the North African province of against the North African province of Mauritania but you asked isn't that Mauritania but you asked isn't that Mauritania but you asked isn't that territory held by the vandals why would territory held by the vandals why would territory held by the vandals why would they want to scorch their own land well they want to scorch their own land well they want to scorch their own land well to make life extremely difficult for the to make life extremely difficult for the to make life extremely difficult for the invading Romans of course scorched earth invading Romans of course scorched earth invading Romans of course scorched earth meant no living off the land meant no living off the land meant no living off the land it meant the Romans would be slowed down it meant the Romans would be slowed down it meant the Romans would be slowed down because they would be tied down to because they would be tied down to because they would be tied down to supply ships from Spain but the Vandal supply ships from Spain but the Vandal supply ships from Spain but the Vandal King also launched a second initiative King also launched a second initiative King also launched a second initiative one that would prove to be more directly one that would prove to be more directly one that would prove to be more directly successful in which I'm sure the people successful in which I'm sure the people successful in which I'm sure the people of Mauritania love this made the of Mauritania love this made the of Mauritania love this made the scorching of their earth totally scorching of their earth totally scorching of their earth totally unnecessary the timeline gets a little unnecessary the timeline gets a little unnecessary the timeline gets a little muddled here and it's difficult to tell muddled here and it's difficult to tell muddled here and it's difficult to tell whether this all happened in 460 or 461 whether this all happened in 460 or 461 whether this all happened in 460 or 461 but vandal saboteurs were able to bribe but vandal saboteurs were able to bribe but vandal saboteurs were able to bribe or trick their way into the shipyards or trick their way into the shipyards or trick their way into the shipyards where the Roman invasion fleet was under where the Roman invasion fleet was under where the Roman invasion fleet was under construction in Spain and once inside construction in Spain and once inside construction in Spain and once inside these saboteurs went to work with the these saboteurs went to work with the these saboteurs went to work with the torches before anyone knew what happened torches before anyone knew what happened torches before anyone knew what happened the entire fleet was in flames and then the entire fleet was in flames and then the entire fleet was in flames and then it sunk to the bottom of the ocean it sunk to the bottom of the ocean it sunk to the bottom of the ocean when maggiorin learned what had happened

when maggiorin learned what had happened when maggiorin learned what had happened he surveyed the damage report with a he surveyed the damage report with a he surveyed the damage report with a resigned sigh that sleep had been resigned sigh that sleep had been resigned sigh that sleep had been pushing the imperial budget to the limit pushing the imperial budget to the limit pushing the imperial budget to the limit there was no way they could just start there was no way they could just start there was no way they could just start again from scratch bitterly disappointed again from scratch bitterly disappointed again from scratch bitterly disappointed maggiorin cancelled the planned invasion maggiorin cancelled the planned invasion maggiorin cancelled the planned invasion it was time to head back to Italy and it was time to head back to Italy and it was time to head back to Italy and regroup so it's tough to tell when this regroup so it's tough to tell when this regroup so it's tough to tell when this actually happened because all our fine actually happened because all our fine actually happened because all our fine sources said is that after Genseric sources said is that after Genseric sources said is that after Genseric torched the fleet Maggiore and left torched the fleet Maggiore and left torched the fleet Maggiore and left Spain and headed back to Italy Spain and headed back to Italy Spain and headed back to Italy some imply that this was a bang-bang some imply that this was a bang-bang some imply that this was a bang-bang thing and further imply that it was the thing and further imply that it was the thing and further imply that it was the loss of the fleet that caused the fatal loss of the fleet that caused the fatal loss of the fleet that caused the fatal rift between majora and ric imir others rift between majora and ric imir others rift between majora and ric imir others imply that the fleet was destroyed imply that the fleet was destroyed imply that the fleet was destroyed sometime in four sixty so it's possible sometime in four sixty so it's possible sometime in four sixty so it's possible that maggiorin lingered in country for a that maggiorin lingered in country for a that maggiorin lingered in country for a while before leaving or that he while before leaving or that he while before leaving or that he immediately left Spain but lingered in immediately left Spain but lingered in immediately left Spain but lingered in Gaul for a while before deciding to Gaul for a while before deciding to Gaul for a while before deciding to return to Italy return to Italy return to Italy whatever the exact order of events in whatever the exact order of events in whatever the exact order of events in the spring of 461 maggiorin was back in the spring of 461 maggiorin was back in the spring of 461 maggiorin was back in ro and preparing to return to Italy by ro and preparing to return to Italy by ro and preparing to return to Italy by the time he left ro it is almost certain the time he left ro it is almost certain the time he left ro it is almost certain that Ric imir had decided to move that Ric imir had decided to move that Ric imir had decided to move against him which brings us to the against him which brings us to the against him which brings us to the question of why Ric imir decided to take question of why Ric imir decided to take question of why Ric imir decided to take out his longtime partner slash out his longtime partner slash out his longtime partner slash accomplice slash protege Maggiore in'

accomplice slash protege Maggiore in' accomplice slash protege Maggiore in' they had been serving together for at they had been serving together for at they had been serving together for at least 20 years going back to the least 20 years going back to the least 20 years going back to the campaign's of atheists in Gaul Ricca mer campaign's of atheists in Gaul Ricca mer campaign's of atheists in Gaul Ricca mer had been the voice calling for majora had been the voice calling for majora had been the voice calling for majora and rehabilitation following the death and rehabilitation following the death and rehabilitation following the death of ets the two had subsequently teamed of ets the two had subsequently teamed of ets the two had subsequently teamed up to form a powerful political faction up to form a powerful political faction up to form a powerful political faction following the death of Valentini in the following the death of Valentini in the following the death of Valentini in the third which culminated with their third which culminated with their third which culminated with their overthrow of Avitus in 456 overthrow of Avitus in 456 overthrow of Avitus in 456 so why was Ric imir about to throw all so why was Ric imir about to throw all so why was Ric imir about to throw all of that history away in the Gallic of that history away in the Gallic of that history away in the Gallic Chronicle it is simply reported that Ric Chronicle it is simply reported that Ric Chronicle it is simply reported that Ric imir was envious of maggiorin which may imir was envious of maggiorin which may imir was envious of maggiorin which may well have been the case after all well have been the case after all well have been the case after all maggiorin was 15 years his junior maggiorin was 15 years his junior maggiorin was 15 years his junior subservience even if it was merely subservience even if it was merely subservience even if it was merely technical can't have sat well with Ric technical can't have sat well with Ric technical can't have sat well with Ric imir if I were speculating man I would imir if I were speculating man I would imir if I were speculating man I would also guess that it had something to do also guess that it had something to do also guess that it had something to do with Maggiore and success in retaking with Maggiore and success in retaking with Maggiore and success in retaking Gaul Gaul Gaul this success rested a great deal on this success rested a great deal on this success rested a great deal on bringing the Gallic nobility over to his bringing the Gallic nobility over to his bringing the Gallic nobility over to his side which meant that Maggiore in' now side which meant that Maggiore in' now side which meant that Maggiore in' now had the building blocks for a power base had the building blocks for a power base had the building blocks for a power base independent of ric imir it also meant independent of ric imir it also meant independent of ric imir it also meant that Gallic Nobles were going to get that Gallic Nobles were going to get that Gallic Nobles were going to get jobs that might have gone to Italian jobs that might have gone to Italian jobs that might have gone to Italian Nobles Nobles Nobles whatever the wider merits of the whatever the wider merits of the whatever the wider merits of the strategy this meant there are not plenty strategy this meant there are not plenty strategy this meant there are not plenty of perked Italians complaining to of perked Italians complaining to of perked Italians complaining to recover that maggiorin was forgetting recover that maggiorin was forgetting recover that maggiorin was forgetting whose friends were and of course we whose friends were and of course we whose friends were and of course we should not forget that rigmarole in his

should not forget that rigmarole in his should not forget that rigmarole in his own right Maggiore in' was just supposed own right Maggiore in' was just supposed own right Maggiore in' was just supposed to be a convenient puppet it may well to be a convenient puppet it may well to be a convenient puppet it may well have been that maggiorin was not dancing have been that maggiorin was not dancing have been that maggiorin was not dancing the way rick imir wanted him to dance as the way rick imir wanted him to dance as the way rick imir wanted him to dance as he traveled from Gaul to Italy Maggiore he traveled from Gaul to Italy Maggiore he traveled from Gaul to Italy Maggiore appears to have made exactly the same appears to have made exactly the same appears to have made exactly the same mistake Evita said made back in 456 he mistake Evita said made back in 456 he mistake Evita said made back in 456 he dismissed most of his retainers and dismissed most of his retainers and dismissed most of his retainers and chose instead to travel with a small chose instead to travel with a small chose instead to travel with a small company of bodyguards and advisors after company of bodyguards and advisors after company of bodyguards and advisors after all he was just heading back to Italy all he was just heading back to Italy all he was just heading back to Italy where his regime was strongest and where where his regime was strongest and where where his regime was strongest and where his old friend Rick Amir was waiting for his old friend Rick Amir was waiting for his old friend Rick Amir was waiting for him but as he crossed the Alps his old him but as he crossed the Alps his old him but as he crossed the Alps his old friend recover was waiting for him on friend recover was waiting for him on friend recover was waiting for him on August the 3rd 461 Maggiore ins August the 3rd 461 Maggiore ins August the 3rd 461 Maggiore ins entourage was surrounded by ric immerse entourage was surrounded by ric immerse entourage was surrounded by ric immerse forces and the emperor was taken into forces and the emperor was taken into forces and the emperor was taken into custody whatever had been Maggiore ins custody whatever had been Maggiore ins custody whatever had been Maggiore ins crime and whatever exactly were rick crime and whatever exactly were rick crime and whatever exactly were rick immersed reasons the emperor was held immersed reasons the emperor was held immersed reasons the emperor was held for five days and after enduring for five days and after enduring for five days and after enduring prolonged torture he was finally prolonged torture he was finally prolonged torture he was finally beheaded on August 7th he was about 40 beheaded on August 7th he was about 40 beheaded on August 7th he was about 40 years old and had ruled the West for years old and had ruled the West for years old and had ruled the West for four years in many ways Maggiore ins four years in many ways Maggiore ins four years in many ways Maggiore ins downfall closed the door on any real downfall closed the door on any real downfall closed the door on any real resurgence for the western empire though resurgence for the western empire though resurgence for the western empire though i do think that m feminist did enough to i do think that m feminist did enough to i do think that m feminist did enough to earn the title blast halfway-decent earn the title blast halfway-decent earn the title blast halfway-decent emperor of the west it all depends on

emperor of the west it all depends on emperor of the west it all depends on how you grade them lots of people say how you grade them lots of people say how you grade them lots of people say that no it was actually Maggiore n' that no it was actually Maggiore n' that no it was actually Maggiore n' deserves the title he vigorously deserves the title he vigorously deserves the title he vigorously attempted to reclaim what had once been attempted to reclaim what had once been attempted to reclaim what had once been Rome's defeated numerous foreign enemies Rome's defeated numerous foreign enemies Rome's defeated numerous foreign enemies in battle strengthen the Navy and was in in battle strengthen the Navy and was in in battle strengthen the Navy and was in the process of reforging the political the process of reforging the political the process of reforging the political bonds between Italy and the provinces bonds between Italy and the provinces bonds between Italy and the provinces had conservators failed we might be had conservators failed we might be had conservators failed we might be talking about maggiorin as the man who talking about maggiorin as the man who talking about maggiorin as the man who one back North Africa he was only 40 one back North Africa he was only 40 one back North Africa he was only 40 years old when he died he was a smart years old when he died he was a smart years old when he died he was a smart guy and a good general he might have guy and a good general he might have guy and a good general he might have been able to pull something off but then been able to pull something off but then been able to pull something off but then he got killed almost certainly because he got killed almost certainly because he got killed almost certainly because he was a smart guy and a good general he he was a smart guy and a good general he he was a smart guy and a good general he almost certainly was not turning out to almost certainly was not turning out to almost certainly was not turning out to be the kind of puppet Ricca Murr wanted be the kind of puppet Ricca Murr wanted be the kind of puppet Ricca Murr wanted him to be next week we will get into the him to be next week we will get into the him to be next week we will get into the disastrous consequences of recovers disastrous consequences of recovers disastrous consequences of recovers decision to overthrow maggiorin just at decision to overthrow maggiorin just at decision to overthrow maggiorin just at the moment when it looked like the West the moment when it looked like the West the moment when it looked like the West was working its way back into fighting was working its way back into fighting was working its way back into fighting shape shape shape Ricca Murr would throw it all away Ricca Murr would throw it all away Ricca Murr would throw it all away appearing to choose undisputed master of appearing to choose undisputed master of appearing to choose undisputed master of Italy over de facto Co ruler of a Italy over de facto Co ruler of a Italy over de facto Co ruler of a reunited West because when the dust reunited West because when the dust reunited West because when the dust settled four years of Maggiore and settled four years of Maggiore and settled four years of Maggiore and marching around had been for naught the marching around had been for naught the marching around had been for naught the Western Empire was right back where it Western Empire was right back where it Western Empire was right back where it started and it didn't look like it was started and it didn't look like it was started and it didn't look like it was going anywhere anytime soon

going anywhere anytime soon going anywhere anytime soon [Music] [Music] [Music] you