Charelmagne

Main Achievements

Who was Charlemagne?

Pepin III's son and the inheritor of the Carolingian throne

Born in: c. 742 Died in: c. 814 Crowned king of the

Franks in 768 Declared Emperor of

the Romans by Pope Leo III in 800 AD

Political Achievements United Christian Lands of Western Europe Expanded his empire by defeating the

Lombards in Italy, the Avars in central Europe, and the Saxons in Germany.

Brought order to the chaotic situation in Europe that lasted for about 400 years.

He established a strong system of government by appointing counts, and the Missi Dominici.

Drove back the Moors across the Pyrenees and added the "Spanish March" (a buffer zone between Muslim and Christian Europe)

Cultural Achievements 1.  Started a cultural rebirth (renaissance) in Western Europe by: Building libraries. Sponsoring the collection and

copying of old Roman manuscripts.

Supporting education by appointing scholars such as Alcuin to create a curriculum based on the Roman model.

2.  Helped spread the beliefs and values of the church. He produced a readable Bible

and sometimes even forced people in his Empire to convert.

Effects of his Achievements

1.Charlemagne was crowned and declared Emperor of the Romans by Pope Leo III. This shows the close relationship that developed between the Church and the Carolingian rulers.

2. He became a role model for many kings in medieval Europe and his name became associated with the cultural rebirth of Europe.