Charlemagne

Author: [British] P.D. King
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2001-01-01
Features: This book is one of the "World History Series" organized and compiled by the Department of History at Lancaster University in the UK. It primarily introduces major events and famous figures in world history. This book focuses on Charlemagne, the Roman Emperor (800–814), also known as Charles the Great. Son of King Pepin the Short of the Carolingian Dynasty. In 768, he ascended the throne jointly with his brother and three years later assumed sole rule. After suppressing the Aquitaine rebellion and unifying the Frankish Kingdom, he began expanding outward. From 772, he crossed the Rhine River multiple times to attack the Saxons, eventually completing the annexation of the Saxon region in 804. Between 773 and 774, he led his army over the Alps to conquer the Lombard Kingdom in northern Italy, assuming the title of King. He then advanced to Rome and was crowned "Senior Roman" by the Pope. In 777, he led his army over the Pyrenees to attack the Arab states in Spain but failed to capture the city of Zaragoza. The following year, on his return, he was ambushed by Basques in the Pyrenees. He launched several more campaigns, capturing Barcelona in 801 and occupying the region north of the Ebro River. In 787, he led his army into southern Italy, forcing the Principality of Benevento to submit. In 788, he annexed the Duchy of Bavaria and subsequently crossed the Elbe River to conquer Slavic tribes. Between 791 and 796, he sent troops to the middle reaches of the Danube River to engage in multiple battles with the nomadic Avar tribe, forcing them to submit. In 800, under the pretext of protecting the Pope of Rome, he marched into Rome and was crowned "Roman Emperor" by the Pope, establishing a vast empire encompassing most of Central and Western Europe. Thereafter, he engaged in wars with the Byzantine Empire over the Adriatic Sea region, repelled Arab attacks along the Mediterranean coast, and drove back Norse pirates along the North Sea coast. He died in Aachen, the capital of his empire, in 814.