Attila the Hun
Attila, "the Scourge of God."
In 443 he ravaged the Eastern empire
and demanded an annual tribute of 2,100 pounds of gold. Four years
later, greedy for more, Attila again invaded. According to an
eyewitness, "More than a hundred cities were captured. Constantinople
almost came into danger and most men fled from it...The dead could
not be numbered." Next Attila turned west and slashed into Gaul.
Although his advance was stopped near Chalons, he returned the following
year and devastated Italy as far as the Po. A threatening Roman
army, an outbreak of plague among the Mongols, and an
appeal from Pope Leo I caused Attila to spare Rome and
withdraw beyond the Alps.
Attila was as hated and feared in his time as Osama bin Laden
is today. For more murderous pretenders to the title of
the Nostradamus Anti-Christ, click here .
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