Charlemagne defeated most of the remaining Germanic tribes in Europe and created a Christian empire that included almost all of modern Europe, known as the Holy Roman Empire.
Actually Charlemagne was a very powerful frankish King. Charlemagne added to his land and gained more and more power. He helped bring Europe out of the Dark Ages. By the time of his death, Charlemagne ruled most of Western Europe.
Charlemagne started of his rule in 768 as King of the Franks in modern day France upon the premature death of his father King Pepin the Short. However, over the next 46 years, he would gradually conquer more and more of Europe till he ruled most of it by the time of his death in 814.
The empire of Charlemagne was in several ways a successor to the Roman Empire. Firstly, the Pope officially crowned him Emperor of the Romans". He took most of the former Roman lands in Europe, but expanded northward rater than to the south. He filled the power vacuum and drove away the barbarians who filled Europe when Rome fell. However, in most ways his empire was more akin the the Feudal kingdoms to come.
Charlemagne insisted that his subjects convert to Christianity, and he was cruel to populations that resisted conversion. When the Saxons refused conversion, Charlemagne ordered the deaths of more than 4,000 of their soldiers. He also declared that anyone who did not convert would be put to death.
Charlemagne and the Byzantine Emperors ruled countries with the same name, Empire of the Roman People. Since the Byzantines got the name first, they were a bit upset when Charlemagne took it. Please see the related question below for more information.
Actually Charlemagne was a very powerful frankish King. Charlemagne added to his land and gained more and more power. He helped bring Europe out of the Dark Ages. By the time of his death, Charlemagne ruled most of Western Europe.
Charlemagne helped cause the unity in Europe by trying to have everyone unite through the religion Christianity. (There are some more factors in what united Europe, but that was all I could find.)
Charlemagne started of his rule in 768 as King of the Franks in modern day France upon the premature death of his father King Pepin the Short. However, over the next 46 years, he would gradually conquer more and more of Europe till he ruled most of it by the time of his death in 814.
APEX: Charlemagne
The empire of Charlemagne was in several ways a successor to the Roman Empire. Firstly, the Pope officially crowned him Emperor of the Romans". He took most of the former Roman lands in Europe, but expanded northward rater than to the south. He filled the power vacuum and drove away the barbarians who filled Europe when Rome fell. However, in most ways his empire was more akin the the Feudal kingdoms to come.
Charlemagne was married at least four times, possibly more. He had twenty children we know of. For more information, please use the link below.
Charlemagne's relatives formed the Carolingian Dynasty. A list of its more important members can be found by using the link below.
Charlemagne had at least four wives, and possibly more. They included the following:Himiltrude (possibly a wife, possibly not)DesiderataHildegardFastradaLuitgardHe also had various concubines.There is more information at the link below.
To frighten in order to establish more power over the bombed area. Same reason America bombs the Middle East.
Charlemagne was crowned as King of the Franks in 768. More importantly, he was crowned Emperor of the Romans (or Emperor of the West) on December 25, 800.
It used to be prestigious to be able to trace your family history to Charlemagne. Which it is not so much the case any more due to the findings that most people of the western world most importantly western europe are able to trace their family to Charlemagne. While in college I had a roommate whose father was rather racist and had a superiority complex. He was visiting his daughter and made a point to tell me their family was able to trace back to Charlemagne to try to make me feel less about myself. I hope he is able to see the truth today that he is FROM COMMON STOCK and rather inbred.
Charlemagne impacted European civilization because his empire eventually broke up into the modern European countries, more or less. He also taught all of his empire to speak Latin, and simplified the currency to one silver currency: the denier. He also made the first schools and colleges and became the first emperor of Europe since the Roman age.