Carolingian Papacy Analysis

In the eighth century, the weakening of the Byzantine Empire caused the papacy to turn elsewhere for protection and support. As the Frankish kingdoms were continually growing in strength during this time, it was clear that support from Charles Martel and other Carolingian rulers would be an invaluable asset. The growth of papal integration with Carolingian leaders not only gave them power over rivals, but also allowed the Catholic Church to have a strong influence on the Carolingian way of life. The first main effect of the collaboration between the papacy and Carolingian leaders was the power it gave certain rulers over others. When Pipin sent inquiries about the lesser kings of France to Pope Zacharias, the pope backed up Pipin by saying that it would be better if those with power were called as king. This stance diminishes the credibility of these lesser kings and, in
In the document addressed to Louis the Pious, it demonstrates one example of this permeation. In order to keep a unified kingdom when he died, he incorporated several religious practices such as fasting and sacrificing in order to choose the heir that most pleased God. This heir would then be put over the others as the one king. Also, in the case of Charlemagne, the only times he wore foreign costumes was when seeking to gratify the pope. He also sought education for himself and his children in the liberal arts, where he mainly received tutelage from deacons and teachers from the Catholic faith. Finally, the document written to Louis the Pious was laden with constant Biblical references. The high magnitude of scriptural references implies that not only would this be accepted by the king, but it would add legitimacy to the document. This shows how the Christian Bible also began gaining educational and cultural validity among the Carolingian