2. 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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4. 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?

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

14. 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