| “ | Attila, might I have a word with you in private, please? | ” |
| —Dialogue in The Fall of Rome | ||
Pope Leo I, also known as Saint Leo the Great (c. 400 - November 10, 461 A.D.) was a Roman aristocrat and leader of the Catholic Church in the mid-5th century A.D. He is depicted as a hero Monk in the last scenario of the Attila the Hun campaign in Age of Empires II: The Conquerors, where Attila must meet with him to discuss the abandonment of his invasion of Italy. He appears as Cardinal Isidore in the The Siege event scenario. He is also available in the Scenario Editor.
Pope Leo I is affected by all technologies and bonuses that affect Monks. As a hero, he cannot be converted and can regenerate health. In the Definitive Edition, he cannot pick up Relics: in prior versions, a glitch will turn him into a regular Monk on picking one up.
Campaign appearances[]
Attila the Hun[]
- The Fall of Rome: Pope Leo I will exit Rome to parley with Attila, after the latter successfully ravages northern Italy.
Event scenarios[]
- The Siege: Cardinal Isidore is in Constantinople, in front of Hagia Sophia.
Victors and Vanquished[]
- Charlemagne: Different Popes reside in Rome. As time passes, the reigning Pope changes.
- Constantine XI and Fetih: Cardinal Isidore is in Constantinople, in front of Hagia Sophia.
- Ironside: Pope Leo I is present in Rome in front of the Basilica of Santa Maria. He is flanked by two Archbishops.
Trivia[]
- Leo I is the oldest Pope to be nicknamed "The Great". The others are Gregory I (c. 540-604), Nicholas I (c. 800-867), and John Paul II (1920-2005).
- Although depicted as meeting Attila outside the walls of Rome, the real encounter took place on the south shore of Lake Garda near Verona, as the Huns did not cross the Po river in reality.
- The game follows tradition in depicting Leo as the reason for Attila's withdrawal, though in reality he was part of a Roman embassy that also included Consul Avienus and former Prefect Trygetius. Leo I himself stated that he only had a minor part in the talks with Attila. The latter also led the peace negotiations with the Vandal king Gaiseric in 435 A.D.
- Incidentally, Gaiseric would sack Rome himself in 455 A.D., only three years after Attila's withdrawal. This time, Leo is said to have convinced Gaiseric to loot the city without engaging in wanton murder and destruction.
- The legend of Leo and Attila mirrors other stories about saints said to have spared their cities from destruction by the Huns by either praying or meeting with their leader, including St. Servatus in Tongeren, St. Genevieve in Paris, and St. Lupus in Troyes.
Gallery[]
