Charlemagne was not truly the emperor of the Romans because his reign lacked the political legitimacy and continuity associated with the ancient Roman Empire, which had effectively collapsed by the time he was crowned in 800 AD. His title was granted by Pope Leo III, which established a religious foundation rather than a direct continuation of Roman authority. Furthermore, Charlemagne's empire was largely a Frankish kingdom, and while he sought to revive Roman culture and governance, it was fundamentally a new entity rather than a restoration of the Roman Empire. Thus, his rule represented a blend of Germanic and Roman traditions rather than a genuine revival of Roman imperial power.
Charlemagne was not crowned emperor of the Romans. He was crowned as the Holy Roman Emperor, which had nothing to do with ancient Rome. The so-called Holy Roman Empire was a Germanic kingdom of the Middle Ages.
no one did but the pope crowned him emperor of the franks.AnswerPope Leo III crowned Charlemagne Holy Roman Emperor on Christmas Day in the year 800 in St. Peter's Basilicia.
Historically, we call people emperors of the Roman Empire if the Roman Senate endorsed them as such, or if an emperor approved by the Senate did so, making them co-emperors, and they subsequently ruled on their own. Anyone else who claimed independently to be the emperor is considered a claimant or usurper. The last known act of the Senate of the West Roman Empire took place in the year 603 AD, 197 years before Charlemagne was crowned emperor. He might be considered a legitimate Roman Emperor, if he had been accepted by Empress Irene of the Byzantine Empire, which was what remained of the Roman Empire at the time. From a certain point of view, all this is nonsense. If the Holy Roman Empire were still operating, our position on whether Charlemagne was legally Emperor of the Romans would almost certainly be different. There are links below.
The first Holy Roman Emperor after Charlemagne was Otto I, also known as Otto the Great. He was crowned emperor in 962 AD, establishing the Ottonian dynasty and reinforcing the idea of a unified Christian empire in the West. Otto I's reign marked a significant revival of imperial authority and the church's influence in medieval Europe.
Charlemagne was the king of the Franks. The pope asked him to attack the Lombards and end their rule in Italy. In exchange he was given the title of Roman emperor. This led to the formation of the Carolingian empire. It has been given this name because it was ruled by Charlemagne and his close relatives (after his death). Italy became part of this empire. Charlemagne was called Roman emperor to symbolise the independence of western Europe from the Roman empire of the East which previously was in charge of part of Italy. The pope also was meant to be a subordinate of this empire. Charlemagne provided the military power that gave the Pope and Italy this independence through his alliance with the pope.
Charlemagne was crowned the new Roman emperor in A.D. 800
Charlemagne
CHARLEMAGNE
He was crowned as Holy Roman Emperor.
Charlemagne
Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne.
Holy Roman Emperor.
Charlemagne did not want people to think the pope had the power to choose who was emperor.
Pope Leo III crowning Charlemagne emperor, December 25, 800.
Charlemagne was crowned (Western) Roman Emperor
He was given the title of Holy Roman Emperor.
Charlemagne was not crowned emperor of the Romans. He was crowned as the Holy Roman Emperor, which had nothing to do with ancient Rome. The so-called Holy Roman Empire was a Germanic kingdom of the Middle Ages.