Charlemagne
(Early
Middle Ages)
|
Charlemagne |
| Charlemagne, or Charles the Great, CAROLINGIAN king
of the FRANKS, came to rule over most of Europe and
assumed the title of Roman emperor. He is sometimes
regarded as the founder of the HOLY ROMAN EMPIRE.
Charlemagne inherited great wealth and a strong military
organization from his father and brother. He used these
assets to double the territory under Carolingian control.
In 772 he opened his offensive against the SAXONS, and
for more than three decades he pursued a ruthless policy
aimed at subjugating them and converting them to
Christianity. Charlemagne has been credited with great political and humanitarian vision and a devout religious bent; as a result, some have been led to think of his military ventures as crusades. In fact, he was a gluttonous and superstitious illiterate, or semiliterate, who had a considerable capacity for brutality. His accomplishments were due mostly to the energy with which he pursued his military goals and the ruthlessness with which he treated any opponents. Nonetheless, his achievements were considerable, and the effect of his conquests was to spread Roman Christianity across central Europe. |
 |
 |
 |
 |