How did the rulers of early medieval Europe like Charlemagne, Otto of Saxony, Alfred the Great, and William the Conqueror set certain precedents for their emerging nations?…
While Einhard fails to directly catalogue the differences between the Frankish and Roman Empires, he indirectly presents a series of oppositions, the most prevalent being the Empires’ different approaches towards Christianity. While both Empires were culturally and socially tied to Christianity, the Frankish Empire incorporated religion into its politics and governance much more than the Romans. Charlemagne and the Pope’s unconventional relationship exemplifies this close integration of church and state. Having “sent a vast number of gifts to the popes” and “restor[ed] […] the ancient glory of the city of Rome,” Charlemagne and the papacy exhibited a paradoxical codependency, whereupon Charlemagne procured the Pope’s endorsement and validation in exchange for protection. This mutual dependency is ultimately contrasted with the more autonomous relationships between the Emperors and Popes of the later Roman Empire. While Christianity became deeply involved in the Roman Empire’s governance, Emperors nonetheless relied more on dynastic succession than papal validation. This discrepancy is further emphasized when placed in context with the Frankish Empire’s divergent feudal structure. Here, Einhard thus exhibits how the rise of the Frankish Empire engendered a new intimacy between church and state that…
During the leadership of Diocletian, he made a reform where he appointed Maximian, as a co emperor and two others co-rulers who became known as the Caesares. One of the Casesares was Constantius, Constantine the Great’s father,…
What do the accounts of two Roman emperors reveal about the strategies leaders use to improve their institutions? In the first century BCE, Rome was struggling to govern effectively, take care of its citizens, and deal with bordering nations. Augustus came to power in 27 BCE and his reign oversaw the successful transition from the Roman Republic to the Roman Empire (McKay 156). Just before his death in 14 CE, he wrote his autobiography, Res Gestae Divi Augusti, which details the impressive accomplishments of his long career. This text can be compared to an account of another Roman Emperor, Constantine, who served roughly 300 years later, from 306 to 312 CE. Roman historian Eusebius wrote a detailed biography of Constantine, called The Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, and this essay will focus on his description of a significant event in Constantine’s life, his conversion to Christianity. Although Emperors Augustus and Constantine both strived for similar goals of uniting Rome and bringing it to the forefront of the world, these two accounts, Res Gestae Divi Augusti and the Life of the Blessed Emperor Constantine, show that each ruler’s…
and supported an attack on the emperor by the German nobility. The pope and the emperor, as separate powers and allies,…
In the case of the emperors, their authority had been transformed into something more ephemeral. “Emperors”, states John Larner, “when they intervened in Italy, appear as ghosts feared at first through their re-evocation of the past, yet soon mocked with the swift realisation of their impotent insubstantiality”. The empire, it seemed, was to be progressively confined only to the German lands; the emperors’ powers being checked from within by the great princes and city-states of empire, and from abroad, by the defiant will of regional kings. The authority of the other universal power, the papacy, by all appearances, was in decline also. The papacy’s sphere of influence apparently shrinking, with its attention primarily focused on France and the states of Italy. This appeared to be exacerbated by the Avignon Captivity which supposedly subjected the papacy to the will of the French monarchy. Seemingly, in the words of Joseph Strayer, the idea of the universal empires “had never been anything but a dream”. Yet, this commonly held conclusion; that fourteenth-century witnessed the final breaking of the authority of the universal powers, is questionable. As Watts explains, although few emperors invaded Italy after the 1320s, “the ideal of a universal secular prince certainly persisted”, as its jurisdictional claims “could not easily be…
was born December 15th, 37AD and died June 9th, 68AD. Commonly identified as Nero, he ruled…
The Historical Context of this source is of Charlemagne’s Coronation. Charlemagne was the ruler of the Franks, in what is now known as Germany and Northern France. Pope Leo III was the pope of Papal Lands, and the Papal Lands were in danger of being invaded by the Lombard’s, so Pope Leo III called upon Charlemagne to help. Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the Holy Lands by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day, 800 CE. Before this, Leo’s position as pope was being threatened, for he was accused of misdeeds, and having Charlemagne’s help would secure his position.…
He used a combination of intelligence, military strategies, the Church, and war to create a powerful empire. He cared deeply for the church and persisted on a fair legal system. Einhard says, “Charlemagne practised the Christian religion with great devotion and piety” (The Life of Charlemagne 251). Growing up in the faith, he insisted that everyone go to church and that the churches be treated with the utmost respect, that nothing that represented evil be allowed in or left in the church. He was active in spreading charity to nearby kingdoms that were in desperate need. “He took pity on their poverty and sent them money regularly” (252). Charlemagne was quick to help Christians out of poverty and “hope that some relief and alleviation might result for the Christians living under their damnation” (252). Charlemagne hoped by befriending kings nearby that they would give mercy to those fellow Christians in need.…
In 800 a rebellion against Pope Leo III began. Charlemagne went to his aid in Rome and defeated the rebellion. As a token of thanks, Leo crowned Charlemagne on Christmas Day that year, declaring him emperor of the Romans. Although this did not give Charlemagne any new powers, it legitimised his rule over his Italian territories and attempted to revive the imperial tradition of the western Roman emperor.…
Charlemagnes determination allowed him to expand his empire. He undertook 54 military campaigns during his rule. He also lead his armies into Italy to conquer the Lombard State. His army also invaded the land of the Bavarians and took them under control. During his rule, Charlemagne insisted the Saxons convert to Christianity and soon took them over. In turn, adding more land to the growing Carolingian empire. (Speilvogel p.138)…
After the split of the empire in the 4th century, the Western empire began facing many attacks by barbarians invading the country. During this time of great confusion, bishops helped stabilize Rome against the barbarian invasions. “Some bishops of the church compromised with the barbarians in hope of achieving an ultimate good”.2 Also because some feared that if they tried to tax the church, God would punish them severely by taking away their kingdom.3 This shows the influential power of the church by using religion and God to scare some of the barbarians. Because of the lack of power of the state at this time, the bishops also became the protectors somewhat.…
Charlemagne also knew that organization of his empire would be key to stability. He established a network of “counts” that would oversee royal estates (Text Pg. 235). He also sent emissaries, also known as “Missi Dominici,” to these royal estates to ensure they were being run properly…
Charlemagne wasn’t only an emperor, but also had a few other talents before being put on the throne. He ruled much of Western Europe from (768-814). His father crowned him in 800. He reigned for more than 4 decades.The Franks was a Germanic tribe…
After the fall of Rome a man named Charlemagne tried to build back the empire. At the end of his life raids of people Scandinavia called Vikings started to come in and raid. This made the holy roman empire think of new ways to defend and try to keep the vikings out. These hit and run raids helped shift power to nobles and away from kings.…