Page "Battle of the Catalaunian Plains" Paragraph 9

Attila's army had reached Aurelianum by June.

This fortified city guarded an important crossing over the Loire.

According to Jordanes, the Alan king Sangiban, whose foederati realm included Aurelianum, had promised to open the city gates ; this siege is confirmed by the account of the Vita S. Anianus and in the later account of Gregory of Tours, although Sangiban's name does not appear in their accounts.

However, the inhabitants of Aurelianum shut their gates against the advancing invaders.

Attila began to besiege the city, while he waited for Sangiban to deliver on his promise.