Charlemagne

Date of Birth: April 2, 747 AD

Zodiac Sign: Unknown

Date of Death: January 28, 814 AD

Biography

Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great or Carolus Magnus, was a medieval emperor who ruled much of Western Europe from 768 to 814. Born in 747 AD, Charlemagne was the eldest son of Pepin the Short, King of the Franks, and Bertrada of Laon. Upon his father’s death in 768, Charlemagne became King of the Franks, initially co-ruling with his brother Carloman I until Carloman’s untimely death in 771. This event left Charlemagne as the sole ruler of the Frankish Kingdom. Charlemagne expanded his empire through a series of military campaigns across Europe, conquering the Lombards in Italy, the Saxons in modern-day Germany, and parts of Spain. His reign marked the Carolingian Renaissance, a revival of art, culture, and learning based on classical models. In 800 AD, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as the Holy Roman Emperor, solidifying his influence and establishing the precedent for the Holy Roman Empire, which would last for centuries. Charlemagne was instrumental in the Carolingian renaissance, a period of cultural and intellectual revival in Europe. His court became a center for scholars, poets, and artists. He also reformed the legal and administrative systems, standardizing weights and measures, and promoting education. Charlemagne died on January 28, 814, in Aachen, in present-day Germany. He was succeeded by his son, Louis the Pious.

5 Interesting Facts about Charlemagne

1. Charlemagne was crowned Emperor of the Romans on Christmas Day in the year 800 AD by Pope Leo III.

2. The Carolingian minuscule, a standardized script developed during his reign, became the basis for modern European writing.

3. Charlemagne had a deep interest in education and learning, despite being illiterate for much of his life.

4. His reign marked the unification of most of Western Europe for the first time since the Roman Empire.

5. Charlemagne reportedly stood over six feet tall, an impressive height for the time.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Charlemagne

1. “Right action is better than knowledge; but in order to do what is right, we must know what is right.”

2. “To have another language is to possess a second soul.”

3. “The sword is an instrument that must be used to restore peace, not to disturb it.”

4. “By the sword and the cross, Christ conquered the world.”

5. “There is nothing in our power to prevent death, but we can make sure that our life is good and honorable while we live.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Charlemagne’s net worth cannot be accurately quantified in modern terms, but as the ruler of a vast empire, he controlled immense wealth in land, resources, and tribute.

Children

Charlemagne had numerous children through his several marriages and concubines. Some of his notable children include: – Louis the Pious: His successor, who became King of the Franks and Emperor of the Carolingian Empire. – Charles the Younger: Crowned King of the Franks and co-Emperor but predeceased Charlemagne. – Pepin the Hunchback: His first-born son who rebelled against him and was subsequently confined to a monastery. – Rotrude: Engaged to the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VI but never married him. – Bertha: Known for her pious and charitable nature.