Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, greatly impacted Ancient Rome through his role as Emperor of Western Europe. Through art and culture Charlemagne’s traditions still exist today. In order to understand his impact it is crucial to learn his background, time as a ruler, effect on Ancient Rome, the Carolingian renaissance, and traditions that exist today. Just like any other ruler, Charlemagne had to start somewhere. Unfortunately the exact date of Charlemagne’s birth is unknown, however it is estimated to be April 2nd of 742. Also, his birth place is uncertain but presumed to be Aachen (modern day Germany), or Liege (modern day Belgium). He was the eldest of six children born to Pepin and Bertrada Short. Charlemagne started out as mayor just like his father. When Pepin, his father, passed away him and his brother Carloman both inherited the kingdom and were supposed to rule together, however Carloman received a larger portion of the territory. Carloman refused to help his brother with the uprising of Aquitaine and the tension between the two brothers only grew. Eventually Carloman died unexpectedly and Charlemagne was left to rule the entire kingdom. He was soon able to expand his territory to Italy and was crowned King of Lombards. He eventually ruled all the Christianized western provinces except for the British Isles. Charlemagne greatly impacted Italy that even the Pope would look to him for help. “The papacy, at odds with Byzantium and its empress Irene over the question of iconoclasm (the problem of image worship and the use of images in the Church), looked to Charlemagne for protection and political leadership and regarded him as the true emperor of Latin Christendom and as the divinely appointed ruler of the earthly sphere. Thus the Pope crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman emperor on Christmas Day, 800 ( Encyclopedia of World Biography).” Charlemagne was known as an admirable ruler. His reign was from 768-814 when he passed away. He resided in his capital city of Aachen Germany in his castle. Charlemagne was interested so much in other cultures that he in fact brought people from other countries to be on his court. He wanted the revival of classical art from the Western Roman Empire, but the Carolingian renaissance was less of a revival but more of a renovation. Charlemagne wanted his territories to become one political entity so he standardized Roman coinage, taxes, measures etc. “He enlarged his empire until it extended from Italy to the North Sea and from the English Channel to the Elbe River, and he worked to unify his people under the Church; he also emphasized the unity of church and state and fostered a cultural revival that raised educational standards, reformed the liturgy, and restored Latin to currency among men of letters. Historians use the word Carolingian, which comes from Carolus, the Latin version of the name Charles, to designate the distinctive imperial culture of Charlemagne's age, which is sometimes called the Carolingian Renaissance (Sorabella).” Charlemagne benefited his empire. His fascination with the Christianity lead him to Rome.
…show more content…
“He cherished the Church of St. Peter at Rome above all other holy places, and heaped its treasury with a vast wealth of gold, silver, and precious stones. He sent countless large gifts to the popes; and throughout his whole reign his most heartfelt wish was to re-establish the ancient authority of Rome under his care and by his influence, and to defend and protect St. Peter’s, beautifying and enriching it himself above all other churches. But though he held it in such veneration, he only went to Rome to say his vows and prayers four times during the whole of his forty-seven-year reign (Christian History Institute)”. Charlemagne was able to have a relationship with Ancient Rome through his relationship with the Pope. He had a strong relationship with the church. With the Pope’s help he was able to make his empire predominantly Christian. He opened many schools, cathedrals, and monasteries. Interestingly enough, the relationship between the Pope at the time, Leo the 3rd, was strengthened when Charlemagne provided protection for him. It so happened that the pope had been attacked by a group of Romans and sought out protection, which Charlemagne provided. This may be the reason why
“He cherished the Church of St. Peter at Rome above all other holy places, and heaped its treasury with a vast wealth of gold, silver, and precious stones. He sent countless large gifts to the popes; and throughout his whole reign his most heartfelt wish was to re-establish the ancient authority of Rome under his care and by his influence, and to defend and protect St. Peter’s, beautifying and enriching it himself above all other churches. But though he held it in such veneration, he only went to Rome to say his vows and prayers four times during the whole of his forty-seven-year reign (Christian History Institute)”. Charlemagne was able to have a relationship with Ancient Rome through his relationship with the Pope. He had a strong relationship with the church. With the Pope’s help he was able to make his empire predominantly Christian. He opened many schools, cathedrals, and monasteries. Interestingly enough, the relationship between the Pope at the time, Leo the 3rd, was strengthened when Charlemagne provided protection for him. It so happened that the pope had been attacked by a group of Romans and sought out protection, which Charlemagne provided. This may be the reason why