OF THE

DECLINE AND FALL OF
THE ROMAN EMPIRE

BY

EDWARD GIBBON

EDITED BY

J. B. BURY, M.A.

WITH AN INTRODUCTION

BY

THE RT. HON. W. E. H. LECKY

VOLUME VI

LONDON

POSTLETHWAITE, TAYLOR & KNOWLES, LTD.

1909

G3580

CONTENTS OF THE SIXTH VOLUME

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS

CHAPTER XXXIV

PAGE
xi

The Character, Conquests, and Court of Attila, King of the Huns -

Theodosius the Younger ·

East

A.D.

376-433 The Huns

Death of

Elevation of Marcian to the Empire of the

Their Establishment in modern Hungary

433-453 Reign of Attila

His Figure and Character

He discovers the Sword of Mars.

Acquires the Empire of Scythia and Germany

430-440 The Huns invade Persia

441, &c. They attack the Eastern Empire

Ravage Europe as far as Constantinople

The Scythian or Tartar Wars

State of the Captives

446 Treaty of Peace between Attila and the Eastern Empire

Spirit of the Azimuntines

Embassies from Attila to Constantinople

448 The Embassy of Maximin to Attila

The royal Village and Palace

The Behaviour of Attila to the Roman Ambassadors

The royal Feast

Conspiracy of the Romans against the Life of Attila.
He reprimands and forgives the Emperor

450 Theodosius the Younger dies

Is succeeded by Marcian

Invasion of Gaul by Attila

He is repulsed by Aetius and the Visigoths

Attila invades and evacuates Italy - The Deaths of Attila, Aetius, and

Valentinian the Third

450 Attila threatens both Empires, and prepares to invade Gaul

433-454 Character and Administration of Aetius

His Connection with the Huns and Alani

419-451 The Visigoths in Gaul under the Reign of Theodoric

435-439 The Goths besiege Narbonne, &c.

V

39

40

42

44

44

A.D.

420-451 The Franks in Gaul under the Merovingian Kings

The Adventures of the Princess Honoria

451 Attila invades Gaul and besieges Orleans.

Alliance of the Romans and Visigoths

Attila retires to the plains of Champagne.

Battle of Châlons

455 Death of Valentinian

Symptoms of the Decay and Ruin of the Roman Government.

PAGE

48

51

53

56

58

61

75

76

78

80

81

81

CHAPTER XXXVI

Sack of Rome by Genseric, King of the Vandals - His naval Depredations-

Succession of the last Emperors of the West, Maximus, Avitus, Majorian,

Severus, Anthemius, Olybrius, Glycerius, Nepos, Augustulus Total

Extinction of the Western Empire — Reign of Odoacer, the first Barbarian

King of Italy

439-445 Naval Power of the Vandals

455 The Character and Reign of the Emperor Maximus.

455 His Death

455 Sack of Rome by the Vandals

The Emperor Avitus

453-466 Character of Theodoric, King of the Visigoths

461

The Loss of his Fleet

His Death

461-467 Ricimer reigns under the Name of Severus

Revolt of Marcellinus in Dalmatia

"" Ægidius in Gaul

461-467 Naval War of the Vandals

462, &c. Negotiations with the Eastern Empire

457-474 Leo, Emperor of the East

467-472 Anthemius, Emperor of the West

The Festival of the Lupercalia .

468 Preparations against the Vandals of Africa
Failure of the Expedition

462-472 Conquests of the Visigoths in Spain and Gaul

468 Trial of Arvandus