12. The Hunnic Invasion of Europe (5th Century)
Attila the Hun’s incursions in the 5th century significantly destabilized the Western Roman Empire. His campaigns, notably the sack of Aquileia in 452, devastated Roman territories, leading to economic strain and internal instability. This contrasted with earlier invasions by the Visigoths and Vandals, which, while impactful, did not match the scale and intensity of the Hunnic assaults. The Huns’ aggressive tactics and relentless pressure accelerated the empire’s decline, highlighting the challenges invaders faced against Rome’s vast infrastructure.
