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St Sixtus III ends his reign as Catholic Pope

Pope Leo I (Italian: Leone I) (391 – 10 November 461), also known as Leo the Great (Latin: Leo Magnus; Italian: Leone Magno), was Bishop of Rome from 29 September 440 until his death on 10 November...

Pope Leo I (Italian: Leone I) (391 – 10 November 461), also known as Leo the Great (Latin: Leo Magnus; Italian: Leone Magno), was Bishop of Rome from 29 September 440 until his death on 10 November 461. He is the first of the three Popes listed in the Annuario Pontificio with the title "the Great", alongside Popes Gregory I and Nicholas I.

Leo was a Roman aristocrat. He is perhaps best known for meeting Attila the Hun in 452 and persuading him to turn back from his invasion of Italy, though how large a part his personal authority played is debated, and some argue that Attila was already ready to end his campaign.

Historical Significance

Pope Leo I (Italian: Leone I) (391 – 10 November 461), also known as Leo the Great (Latin: Leo Magnus; Italian: Leone Magno), was Bishop of Rome from 29 September 440 until his death on 10 November 461.

Events Before

  1. K'inich Yax K'uk Mo', founding ruler of Maya city of Copán, marks completion of an important calendrical cycle under May

    K'inich Yax K'uk Mo', founding ruler of Maya city of Copán, marks completion of an important calendrical cycle under Maya Long Count calendar (Stela 63). Oldest known inscription from Copán.

  2. Valentinian III, Western Roman Emperor, marries Licinia Eudoxia, daughter of his cousin Theodosius II, Eastern Roman Emp

    Valentinian III, Western Roman Emperor, marries Licinia Eudoxia, daughter of his cousin Theodosius II, Eastern Roman Emperor in Constantinople. This unifies the two branches of the House of Theodosius

  3. The Theodosian Code of Roman laws proclaimed in the Eastern Empire (first law reforms since 295)

    The Theodosian Code of Roman laws proclaimed in the Eastern Empire (first law reforms since 295)

  4. Theodosian Code of Roman laws is proclaimed in the Western Empire (first law reforms since 295)

    Theodosian Code of Roman laws is proclaimed in the Western Empire (first law reforms since 295)

  5. The Vandals, led by King Gaiseric, take the city of Carthage in North Africa

    The Vandals were a Germanic people who were first mentioned in the written records as the inhabitants of what is now Poland, during the period of the Roman Empire.

Events After

  1. BC Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 8:1, NLTse)

    BC Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 8:1, NLTse)

  2. BC Battle of Cremera: Etruscan city Veii ambushes and defeats the Roman Republican army in one of the most unexpected an

    BC Battle of Cremera: Etruscan city Veii ambushes and defeats the Roman Republican army in one of the most unexpected and dramatic defeats in Roman history

More from the 440s

BC Battle of Cremera: Etruscan city Veii ambushes and defeats the Roman Republican army in one of the most unexpected an

BC Battle of Cremera: Etruscan city Veii ambushes and defeats the Roman Republican army in one of the most unexpected and dramatic defeats in Roman history

Pope Leo I the Great is installed

Pope Leo I the Great is installed

BC Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 8:1, NLTse)

BC Ezra reads the Book of the Law to the Israelites in Jerusalem (see Nehemiah 8:1, NLTse)

Frequently Asked Questions

What happened on August 18, 440?
Pope Leo I (Italian: Leone I) (391 – 10 November 461), also known as Leo the Great (Latin: Leo Magnus; Italian: Leone Magno), was Bishop of Rome from 29 September 440 until his death on 10 November 461. He is the first of the three Popes listed in the Annuario Pontificio with the title "the Great", alongside Popes Gregory I and Nicholas I. Leo was a Roman aristocrat.
Why is St Sixtus III ends his reign as Catholic Pope significant?
Pope Leo I (Italian: Leone I) (391 – 10 November 461), also known as Leo the Great (Latin: Leo Magnus; Italian: Leone Magno), was Bishop of Rome from 29 September 440 until his death on 10 November 461.

Explore More

August 18 in HistoryYear 440