CHARLES THE GREAT

(742-814)

The appearance of his empire, as always in history, was determined (at least, in retrospect) the affairs of at least two of his predecessors. The first was Charles Martel (c. 688-741) - the son of mayor of the palace (Duke), one of the three major provinces of the Frankish Avtrazii Pepin II of Herstal, who spread their influence on two other mayor of the palace. Charles paid much attention to the organization of its relatively small army. By tradition, the Germanic tribes, the Franks gave preference to the infantry, but he tried to create, and good cavalry. Main strike force made up heavily armed knights. With his army defeated Charles alternately Saxons, Frisians, allemanov, Bavaria, making them his tributaries. Received the nickname Martel (The Hammer). In 732, the Spanish Arabs invaded Gaul, moving to Paris. Charles Martel was made to meet them. The decisive battle near the town of Poitiers lasted 3 days. The Arabs were defeated and retreated, leaving the winners of the rich carts. After 5 years, they again tried to seize possession of the Franks and again were defeated by the Molotov-Martel. He became the founder of the royal dynasty of the Carolingians.

Pepin III (ca. 710-768), son of Charles Martel, inherited his possessions. (He had a physical force, and, apparently, his nickname "Short" more accurately translated as "stocky. ") Frankish know at a meeting in the town of Soissons in 751, proclaimed him king. Overthrown powerless Merovingian King Childeric III was imprisoned in a monastery. Having established an alliance with the Pope, who has blessed these changes, Pepin III defeated the army of the Lombards, and facilitated the establishment of the Papal States in Italy.

Photo — «Charles The Great»

It existed before our time, though reduced to the size of the Vatican.

After the death of King Pepin III the throne passed to his son Charles, has received a good education. He spoke several languages, was eloquent, interested in science, but "the art of writing" possessed much weaker than the arms. His distinguished by an outstanding physical strength, courage, simplicity in communication and clothing. He personally participated in 50 campaigns.

When he took power, declared the independence of many leaders of the Germanic tribes. Carl brutally suppressed the revolts. He finally defeated the Lombards in Italy. Hike Charlemagne against the Spanish caliphate was only partially successful. Reaching Zaragoza, Karl was forced to retreat. In the foothills of the Pyrenees was killed in the battle of the rearguard of his army, led by the Margrave of Roland. Still, Charles conquered the north-eastern part of Spain with Barcelona. Pushing the limits of his empire to the east, he conquered almost all the Germanic tribes pressed the Slavs, together with the Slavs destroyed the Avar Khanate in the valley of the Danube.

By creating a huge power Charlemagne cared about the revival of spiritual culture, following the example of the Roman Empire, established the Academy (this period is called "Carolingian Renaissance"), established diplomatic relations with other sovereigns, in particular with the Arab Caliph Harun al-Rashid, who sent him a gift live elephant and the keys of Jerusalem.

Strengthened its state Charlemagne not only military force, but also spreading Christianity and education among the semi-barbarous Germanic tribes.

Photo — «Charles The Great»

It helps monk missionary from England, later elevated to the rank of bishop by the name of Boniface. The power of the monarchy has been strengthened by taking away many of the landowners property, dividing them among the monasteries and their loyal vassals, and a significant part of leaving himself. Gentiles, he chastised mercilessly, destroying their ancient shrines. Under his rule was a huge territory (France, Belgium, Holland, Switzerland, Western and Southern Germany, north-eastern Spain, almost all of Italy).

On Christmas Day 25 December AD 800, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Emperor and Augustus. Carl was 69-m ruler of the Roman Empire from the time of Octavian Augustus. Even earlier, in the year 799, Pope was charged with fornication, perjury, avarice, beat (like even the blind) and banished from Rome. See, he returned to Charlemagne, became his patron. Moreover, Charles demanded from the Pope repentance. So, we can say, the emperor received the crown from a dependent of the debtor. Nevertheless, the existence of a great power was undeniable.

Even before Charlemagne held an administrative reform, which establishes the monarchy, which was ruled by a king, a palace court and offices, headed by the Chancellor. Protégé of the monarch controlled the activities of local graphs.

The most important event of Charlemagne was the dissemination of education - primarily through the monastic schools - and the revival of ancient culture (largely borrowed from Byzantium). At the court organized by scientists from the community representatives of different peoples: the Anglo-Saxon Alkuin writer, poet Visigoths Theodulf of Orléans, Lombard historian Paul the Deacon, an architect, painter and mechanic franc Eyngard and others.

Photo — «Charles The Great»

If you are going with the Emperor, these people excelled in rhetoric and wit, read their works, were philosophical conversations. Used the Latin language, preferring to figurative expressions and allegories. One poets of the time, wrote: "This renewed the days resurrected life of the ancients, revived what was beaming Rome. "

But for all the talents of Charlemagne as a military leader and statesman, he was unable to ignite the glow of the Renaissance - the epoch of rapid fermentation of thought, sustainable renewal of culture. Even an outstanding person can dramatically change the development of society. In those days a gigantic empire resembled a patchwork quilt, composed of very diverse and united by a common ideology and culture pieces. The monarch himself, though in jest, we would now call "homeless" who have no fixed abode man. He was forced to roam with his court from one estate to another, to feed his vast entourage, security, government officials and to keep under control the country (his main residence was in Aachen).

"The Board of Carl flashed brief light - concluded RY Whipper. - Merge into one and keep under one authority for 40 years a vast empire succeeded in part by the skilled techniques of the Roman administration, which persisted in Byzantium and delivered to the West through the church. However, the lord and lords did not want to be an obedient instrument of supreme power, what were the Byzantine strategists, commanders and officials. On the authority of the State in the empire of Charles was not the question. Small and simple obedience to a strong and rich, all served only to certain persons. The Emperor Karl produced the greatest charm and attracted the masses, his death was all over, his happiest quality confers no heirs of his title.

Photo — «Charles The Great»

But the rumor of a great monarch, warrior and the ruler began to walk in legends. 70 years after his death, a monk of the monastery of San Gallen (at Lake Constance in Switzerland) has collected the various stories, where Charles stands deeply wise ruler, able to open and read the truth in people′s hearts. Military tradition portrays his "iron Charles, from the appearance of his troops earth trembles . . . epithet for the French Grand merged into one with his name, while the neighboring Slavs it is a household name (Kralj, King - none other than Karl) ;.

Strangely, in different countries, different peoples in all epochs of some cult of personality, which goes after the death of these people in the demonization or almost deification. The reason? Maggot mass consciousness, prone to mythologizing of reality? Hero worship? Tendency to present geniuses supermen endowed with extraordinary qualities? Hopes for the return of the heroic ages?

It would seem so what′s the difference? Maybe people just tend to have fun with colorful legends, anecdotes, horror, fables. Nothing special . . .

And yet there is, perhaps, in that a lot of sense. Now living in the proposed target of prominent representatives of the human race, believe in the possibility sverhobychnye personality, capable of great things. And if the cult of heroes and great men fade, and their images are fading and vulgarized, then this nation is in spiritual decline.