Ravenna

By the beginning of the 5th century the seat of power in the Western Roman Empire had moved from the city of Rome to Ravenna. Ravenna was where the Roman Emperor made his home and Attila's invasion of the Italian peninsula threatened destruction of the city. According to legend, this threat was averted when Pope Leo I met with Attila imploring him to spare the city and return to his homeland. It is said that Saints Peter and Paul appeared to the King of the Huns in a vision, threatening his immediate death if he did not follow Pope Leo's suggestion. Miraculously, Attila ended his campaign and led his army back to the north. Historians propose that Attila's retreat was prompted by a lack of supplies and the inability to feed his troops rather than Pope Leo's entreaties. Whatever the cause, the Western Roman Empire was again saved from destruction.