Charlemagne’s Empire Preview Starting Points Map: Europe Main Idea / Reading Focus Building an Empire A New Society Quick Facts: Charlemagne’s Achievements

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Charlemagne’s Empire Main Idea Reading Focus Through conquest and social change, Charlemagne tied much of western Europe together in a single empire. Reading Focus How did Charlemagne and the Carolingians build the Frankish empire? How did Charlemagne’s actions contribute to shaping a new society?

Building an Empire Powerful Kingdom Frankish Empire Early Carolingians Crowning of Charlemagne a surprise, but not random decision His predecessors, the kings of the Franks, worked for 200 years to make kingdom most powerful in Europe Frankish Empire By 800s Franks ruled much of western, central Europe Leaders most influential in expansion of Franks all belonged to one family—Charlemagne’s family, the Carolingians Early Carolingians One of first Carolingians to gain power, Charlemagne’s grandfather Charles Martel, political adviser, war leader for Frankish king Led Frankish army in many crushing defeats of opponents, notably Muslims

Charlemagne’s Rise to Power Pippin Charles’s son, Pippin III, also skilled leader; won many battles, captured new lands for Franks Became first king of Carolingian dynasty, 751 Upon death, 768, Pippin passed kingdom to son, ruler known today as Charlemagne Charlemagne’s Rise to Power Charlemagne, Old French for Charles the Great Name proved accurate, Charlemagne a great leader Historically considered one of most important leaders in European history Foundation of success, his military power

Military Power Increased Kingdom Pope Leo III Assembled army each year, led into battle against a foe Incorporated land of vanquished foe into his sphere of influence, formed alliances with local rulers In this way Charlemagne increased size and power of Carolingian kingdom Increased Kingdom Recognized Charlemagne’s skill, called on him for help when Lombards attacked Papal States, 774 Papal states, region in central Italy under control of pope Franks defeated Lombards; Charlemagne became king of Lombards as well as Franks Pope Leo III

Helping the Pope Another Cry for Help A Pope’s Thanks Pope Leo III grateful for Charlemagne’s help against Lombards 799, called on Charlemagne again when angry supporters of previous pope ran Leo out of Rome Charlemagne had Leo escorted back to Rome, restored to power Another Cry for Help Pope Leo III thanked Charlemagne by naming him emperor of Roman people Title implied Charlemagne had restored glory of Roman Empire in Europe Pope’s action suggested that Charlemagne’s rule had backing of church, God A Pope’s Thanks

Charlemagne’s Rule Powerful Delegating Authority Oversight Charlemagne had tremendous power as emperor Empire large, not easy to rule; changes made government efficient, effective Established permanent capital at Aachen, in what is now Germany Delegating Authority Built huge palace, cathedral to reflect own greatness Chose counts, officials to help rule parts of empire in his name Counts bound to obey, granted large tracts of land, given much authority Oversight Inspectors kept tabs on Charlemagne’s counts Rewarded counts who did jobs well, punished those who did not Inspectors helped ensure counts remained loyal, empire was well run

How did Charlemagne turn his kingdom into an empire? Summarize How did Charlemagne turn his kingdom into an empire? Answer(s): strong warrior; restored the pope to power; provided stability and order; barons helped him rule

A New Society Education Scholars Although Charlemagne is known mostly as a warrior and a political leader, he also made sweeping changes to Frankish society. Charlemagne personally interested in learning, spent much time studying Wanted leaders in empire to be able to read, write Ordered churches, monasteries to start schools Students learned: Religion Music Grammar Education Noted European scholars invited by Charlemagne to Aachen Spent time teaching, as well as studying, copying ancient texts Sent copies of texts to monasteries across Europe; monks there made copies Saved many valuable works for posterity Scholars

Religion Law Great Heights In addition to improving education, Charlemagne wanted to preserve, spread Christian teachings Worked closely with church to create unified Christian empire Used force to accomplish, ordered those he conquered to convert to Christianity under penalty of death Sent monks to live among conquered to help Christianity take root Honored traditional laws of tribes brought under his rule Most laws existed only in oral tradition Had many tribal laws recorded Allowed tribal legal codes to maintain separate existence Law Western Europe reached great heights under Charlemagne Empire did not survive long after death in 814 Civil war wracked kingdom, grandsons divided empire Empire weak, invaders poured in Great Heights

How did Charlemagne change society in his empire? Find the Main Idea How did Charlemagne change society in his empire? Answer(s): built an education system, preserved ancient writings, expanded religion, developed single law code