What do you think of Charlemagne?

Did You Know? Charlemagne served as a source of inspiration for such leaders as Napoleon Bonaparte (1769-1821) and Adolf Hitler (1889-1945), who had visions of ruling a unified Europe. After Pepin's death in 768, the Frankish kingdom was divided between Charlemagne and his younger brother Carloman (751-771). read more

Charlemagne is an oddball. He’s like that bald uncle that shows up to every party but he’s not anyone’s uncle but everyone calls him that. Sure, he claims that he untied all of Europe. read more

Charlemagne filled his palace with treasures from all over the known world -- jewels, ivories, silks. But it is the magnificent illuminated manuscripts (many of them lavishly bound with ivory, gold and jewels) which he commissioned that were his greatest cultural contribution. read more

In 813, Charlemagne crowned his son Louis the Pious (778-840), king of Aquitaine, as co-emperor. Louis became sole emperor when Charlemagne died in January 814, ending his reign of more than four decades. At the time of his death, his empire encompassed much of Western Europe. Charlemagne was buried at the cathedral in Aachen. read more