Attila interfered in a succession struggle after the death of a Frankish ruler. Attila supported the elder son, while Aëtius supported the younger. (The location and identity of these kings is not known and subject to conjecture.) Attila gathered his vassals—Gepids, Ostrogoths, Rugians, Scirians, Heruls, Thuringians, Alans, Burgundians, among others—and began his march west. In 451, he arrived in Belgica with an army exaggerated by Jordanes to half a million strong. thumb|Roman villa in Gaul sacked by Attila's hordes, by French historial painter Georges Rochegrosse On April 7, he captured Metz. He also captured Strasbourg. Other cities attacked can be determined by the hagiographic vitae written to commemorate their bishops: Nicasius was slaughtered before the altar of his church in Rheims; Servatus is alleged to have saved Tongeren with his prayers, as Saint Genevieve is said to have saved Paris. Lupus, bishop of Troyes, is also credited with saving his city by meeting Attila in person.
Attila interfered in a succession struggle after the death of a Frankish ruler Attila supported the elder son while Aëtius supported the younger (The location and identity of these kings is not known and subject to conjecture) Attila gathered his vassals—Gepids Ostrogoths Rugians Scirians Heruls Thuringians Alans Burgundians among others—and began his march west In 451 he arrived in Belgica with an army exaggerated by Jordanes to half a million strong thumb|Roman villa in Gaul sacked by Attila's hordes by French historial painter Georges Rochegrosse On April 7 he captured Metz He also captured Strasbourg Other cities attacked can be determined by the hagiographic vitae written to commemorate their bishops Nicasius was slaughtered before the altar of his church in Rheims; Servatus is alleged to have saved Tongeren with his prayers as Saint Genevieve is said to have saved Paris Lupus bishop of Troyes is also credited with saving his city by meeting Attila in person