Page "Pope Leo I" Paragraph 24

" The fact of the embassy cannot be doubted.

The distinguished ambassadors visited the Hun's camp near the south shore of Lake Garda.

It is also certain that Attila suddenly retreated.

But we are at a loss to know what considerations were offered him to induce him to depart.

It is unreasonable to suppose that this heathen king would have cared for the thunders or persuasions of the Church.

The Emperor refused to surrender Honoria, and it is not recorded that money was paid.

A trustworthy chronicle hands down another account which does not conflict with the fact that an embassy was sent, but evidently furnishes the true reasons which moved Attila to receive it favourably.

Plague broke out in the barbarian host and their food ran short, and at the same time troops arrived from the east, sent by Marcian to the aid of Italy.

If his host was suffering from pestilence, and if troops arrived from the east, we can understand that Attila was forced to withdraw.

But whatever terms were arranged, he did not pretend that they meant a permanent peace.

The question of Honoria was left unsettled, and he threatened that he would come again and do worse things in Italy unless she were given up with the due portion of the Imperial possessions.