Aetius (magister militum) facts for kids

This article is about Aetius (disambiguation)|Aetius. For other uses, see Aetius (magister militum) (disambiguation).

Quick facts for kids Aetius dux et patricius
Possible relief of Aetius, although this Sarcophagus has also been thought to depict Stilicho (d. 408 AD), and can be dated even earlier (between 387–390 AD), during the reign of Theodosius I
Born	c. 390 Durostorum, Roman Empire
Died	21 September 454 (aged c. 64) Ravenna, Roman Italy, Western Roman Empire
Cause of death	Murdered by Valentinian III and Heraclius
Resting place	Unknown, possibly the Sarcophagus of Stilicho
Other names	Last of the Romans
Occupation	General
Office	Consul
Children	2, including Gaudentius

Military career
Years	425–454
Rank	Magister militum
Battles	Siege of Arles Frankish War (428) 430 campaign in Raetia Battle of Rimini Frankish War (432) Battle of Arles Burgundian War (435) Siege of Narbona (436) Sack of Worms Battle of Mons Colubrarius Battle of Vicus Helena Battle of the Catalaunian Plains Hunnic invasion of Italy

Aetius (born around 390 – died 454) was a powerful Roman general and leader during the final years of the Western Roman Empire. For over two decades (from 433 to 454), he was the most important person in the Empire. He was known for managing the threats from various "barbarian" groups, who were often allies called foederati.

Aetius is most famous for leading a large Roman and allied army at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains in 451. This battle stopped a huge invasion of Gaul by Attila and his Hun army. Even though Attila invaded Italy the next year, Aetius's victory was a major achievement. Many people called him the "Last of the Romans" because he was so important in trying to keep the Western Roman Empire together.

Who Was Aetius?
See Also

Who Was Aetius?

Aetius was a brilliant military commander and a skilled diplomat. He was seen by many as the last great Roman general in the West. His actions helped to delay the complete collapse of the Western Roman Empire for a time.

Early Life and Rise to Power

A Hostage and a General

Aetius was born in Durostorum (modern Silistra, Bulgaria) around 390 AD. His father, Gaudentius, was a Roman general. His mother was a wealthy woman from Italy. As a young boy, Aetius served in the imperial court.

Between 405 and 408, he was held as a hostage by Alaric I, the king of the Visigoths. Later, he was sent to live with Uldin, the king of the Huns. Spending time with these strong military groups helped Aetius become a very skilled soldier and leader.

In 423, the Western Roman Emperor Honorius died. A new emperor, Joannes, took power, but the Eastern Roman Empire did not recognize him. Aetius supported Joannes and went to the Huns to ask for their help. However, Joannes was killed in 425 before Aetius returned.

When Aetius came back with a large Hun army, Valentinian III and his mother, Galla Placidia, were in charge. Aetius made a deal with Galla Placidia. He sent his Hun army home and, in return, was made a top commander of the Roman army in Gaul. This position was called comes et magister militum per Gallias.

Protecting the Empire: Early Campaigns

Battles in Gaul and Beyond

In 426, Aetius went to southern Gaul. He took command of the army and immediately faced the Visigoths, who were attacking the important city of Arles. Aetius defeated the Visigoths and forced them back.

In 428, he fought against the Salian Franks, defeating their king Chlodio. He took back some land they had captured along the Rhine River. By 429, Aetius was promoted to magister militum, a very high military rank.

In 430, Aetius defeated the Visigoths again near Arles. He also campaigned in Raetia and Noricum, areas near the Danube River. He restored Roman control and fought against local rebels called the Bagaudae. In 431, he returned to Gaul and defeated the Franks, recapturing important cities like Tournai and Cambrai.

Power Struggles and Key Victories

Rivalry with Bonifacius

While Aetius was fighting in Gaul, there was a power struggle in the Roman Empire. Aetius, another general named Bonifacius, and the Emperor's mother, Galla Placidia, were all trying to gain influence.

In 432, Aetius was made a consul, a very important political position. However, Bonifacius was called back to Italy and given an even higher military rank. Aetius felt threatened and marched his army against Bonifacius. They fought at the Battle of Rimini. Bonifacius won the battle but was badly wounded and died a few months later.

Aetius escaped to Pannonia and sought help from his friend, Rua, the king of the Huns. With the Huns' support, Aetius returned to power. He was given the title comes et magister utriusque militiae, making him the supreme military commander. He also married Bonifacius's widow, Pelagia.

Defeating Rebellions and Tribes

From 433 to 450, Aetius was the most powerful figure in the Western Empire. He acted as a protector for Galla Placidia and the young Emperor Valentinian III. He continued to focus on Gaul, where many groups were causing trouble.

In 436, Aetius defeated the Burgundians. The next year, he sent Hun allies to destroy them. This event, where thousands of Burgundians were killed, might have inspired the famous German epic poem, the Nibelungenlied. Aetius also put down rebellions by the Bagaudae in Armorica (modern Brittany).

He fought against the Visigoths again in 438 and 439, eventually securing a peace treaty. The Roman Senate and people honored him with a statue in Rome. Aetius also settled some of the remaining Burgundians in Sapaudia (modern Savoy) in 443. He also settled the Alans in Gaul to help control unrest.

In Spain, Aetius tried to deal with the Bagaudae and the Suebi, but Roman control was slowly weakening there. By 450, Aetius had made peace with the Franks. He even supported the younger son of the Frankish king, Merovaeus, helping him become king.

The Hun Invasion and the Battle of Catalaunian Plains

Facing Attila the Hun

Before 449, Aetius had a good relationship with the Huns. He allowed some of them to settle in Pannonia. However, this peace did not last. Attila, the king of the Huns, wanted to invade Roman Gaul. He knew Aetius was a strong opponent.

In 451, Attila and his massive Hun-German army attacked Gaul. They captured several cities and moved towards Orléans. Aetius, with the help of a Roman senator named Avitus, convinced the Visigoths and their king Theodoric I to join him against Attila. He also persuaded other groups like the Armoricans, Salian Franks, Saxons, and Burgundians to join his army.

The Great Battle

The combined Roman and Visigothic army moved to help Orléans. They forced the Huns to retreat to an open area. On June 20, 451, Aetius and Theodoric fought Attila and his allies at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains. It was one of the largest and most important battles in ancient history.

King Theodoric died in the battle. Aetius advised Theodoric's son, Thorismund, to return home to secure his throne. This battle was a major victory for the Romans and their allies, stopping Attila's invasion of Gaul.

Attila's Invasion of Italy

In 452, Attila returned, this time invading Italy. Aetius could not stop Attila's advance through the Julian Alps. Attila attacked and destroyed many cities, including Aquileia. Emperor Valentinian III fled from Ravenna to Rome.

Aetius stayed in the field, but his army was not strong enough to fight a direct battle. He positioned his forces to block Attila's path to Ravenna and Rome. Attila eventually stopped at the Po River and met with Roman officials, including Pope Leo I. After this meeting, Attila turned his army back. Historians believe Attila retreated because his army was running out of food and suffering from disease, and Aetius's army was constantly bothering them.

The End of Aetius

His Assassination

Even though Aetius was very powerful and successful, Emperor Valentinian III felt threatened by him. Valentinian feared that Aetius wanted to put his own son on the throne.

On September 21, 454, while Aetius was at court in Ravenna, Valentinian suddenly attacked him. With the help of a chamberlain named Heraclius, Valentinian struck Aetius on the head with his sword, killing him instantly.

Later, when Valentinian boasted about killing Aetius, someone at court famously replied, "Whether well or not, I do not know. But know that you have cut off your right hand with your left." This meant that by killing Aetius, Valentinian had destroyed the Empire's strongest defender.

The assassination of Aetius led to more chaos. Two of Aetius's Hun friends later killed Valentinian III and Heraclius in revenge.

Aetius's Lasting Impact

Why He Was Important

Aetius is considered one of the greatest Roman military commanders ever. He was also an excellent diplomat and administrator. He effectively ruled the Western Empire for over 20 years, trying to protect its borders from many different groups.

His greatest achievement was bringing together the different armies to fight Attila at the Battle of the Catalaunian Plains. This battle is seen as very important because it stopped Attila's advance into Gaul.

Many historians believe that Aetius's ability to hold the Western Roman Empire together was remarkable. The rapid collapse of the West after his death shows just how important he was in keeping the Empire from falling apart sooner.