What achievements did the empire of Charlemagne become famous? What goals did the ruler set for himself?

A thousand two hundred years ago, in January 814, one of the fathers of the Romance-German, truly European civilization, the founder of the first European Union, left his empire forever. The Frankish Western Empire included territories more than vast: modern France, Belgium, Switzerland, Holland, Italy, large parts of Germany and Spain. But he fought all his life not only for the sake of territories: everywhere where his army trod, Christianity triumphed. The pagans of Europe were baptized forcibly: both by fire and sword. This is the main thing from what achievements the empire of Charlemagne became famous .

Bridge to Modernity

The Slavic civilization very sharply felt the power of becoming the West, faced with a terrible enemy, strong, cunning and even mean-spirited, if circumstances so demanded. Not only Karl defeated with his sword, but also with money, and lies, and betrayal. Sharing, ruling. Slavic tribes generously shed blood each other.

For centuries, these wars were provoked by the already dead Charles. The most passionate part of the Slavs was destroyed by them, some left to the east, many assimilated and gradually became Austrians, Danes, Germans, the rest changed the "code" and went under the Roman arm. So, for example, the Poles adopted the Western form of Christianity and became sworn enemies of Slavic Rus.

Everyone admires the iron will and ingenious mind of the Emperor Charles, but when studying the Frankish civilization, it suddenly becomes clear where the present European onslaught to the East originates. The process is still going on. After all, what achievements did the empire of Charlemagne (the 6th grade for sure not be able to recognize such interrelations, if the teacher does not push the imagination) became famous?

Historical background

The foundation of the Frankish Empire was formed even before the birth of Charlemagne by the forces of three remarkable rulers, who replaced the Merovingian dynasty, which was extinguished in the laziness. Clovis planted statehood in alliance with the papal church; Karl Martell created a real, practically professional army and formed a feudal system based on the benefice (noble nests), and the Battle of Poitiers stopped the invasion of Europe by Islam; Pepin the Short became the first official king of the Carolingian dynasty, sending to the monasteries the last representatives of the lazy Merovingians. Thanks to Pepin, Rome reoriented from the East (Byzantium) to the West.

This was the foundation of the European civilization - Romano-Germanic. And this also answers the question of what achievements the empire of Charlemagne became famous for, since the very formation of European civilization occurred precisely during the reign of Charles.

Two kings

Karl's father, Pepin Short, had early taught his son to accomplish state affairs, noticing obvious analytical abilities and readiness to commit acts. Young Karl was active in court meetings, willingly and wittily performed diplomatic affairs, participated in the Aquitanian campaigns. When Pepin Short died, his twenty-six-year-old son was already sufficiently prepared for independent government. What achievements did the empire of Charlemagne most famous? Proper education of the heirs, timely, albeit very early, training of all and everything that is needed to manage the state.

The son of Pepin was not alone. And the possessions were divided approximately equally: Carl went to Nuanion, and Carloman - Soissons. Both are full and equal kings of francs. As usual, relations were not fraternal. For simple consent, the greatest work was required, and for the collision the smallest reason was enough.

For the enemies of the newborn civilization of the Franks, this became a widowhood: newly subdued Aquitans raised their heads, the Saxons and Britons pressed from both the east and the west, and from the territories of modern Italy came a real threat - the King of the Lombards Desiderius, who had already united most of the peninsula. Here he had a real army and huge resources. First of all, the papal lands that were conquered by Pipin and donated to Rome suffered. Plus, Dezideria became close friends and became related with the neighboring dukes, who also did not like the development of Frankish statehood.

Karl all this time pretended that he did not notice the threat. He carefully studied his country, traveled, hunted, presented monasteries, feasted. Between these matters, the Aquitaine insurrection was easily suppressed. He called his brother on a campaign against Gascony and Aquitaine, but he flatly refused. Carl managed himself.

In the meantime, Desiderius was taking the area from the Pope of Rome. Stephen III tearfully asked for help from both brothers - and Carloman, and Karl. But I did not get it. Carloman did not want to fight, and Karl was already married again. His mother, Bertrada, forced her son to abandon her former wife, Hilitruda, because she brought a pledge of peace from the south-Desideria's daughter, Desideratu. The positions of the francs in Italy quickly curtailed, the influence melted.

Single Power

Karl tolerated this position for a very short time. He sent Dezoderate to his father, almost completely ripped off his relationship with his brother and began to prepare for war. However, Carloman suddenly and unexpectedly died for everyone. Charles took possession of the inheritance and became the only full king of the Franks.

And right away, from 772, a life-long great war began: a campaign, an invasion, a siege, pacification of neighbors, war - in a vicious circle. Every year in May, a military gathering was planned, where the operation was planned. Sometimes a year was arranged not one campaign, but two.

Karl quickly became a commander and a great strategist. Most often the threat was approaching from different angles, many were tormented by a sense of chaos and defeat. However, all the nodes were unraveled, and the results were excellent. Karl on the fly understood the essence of the situation and immediately made decisions.

One of his appearance in the troops served as a pledge of victory and instilled confidence: Karl - two meters tall, handsome hero, mighty and calm - confidently led even brave warriors. What achievements have become famous for the empire of Charlemagne in the end, even to enumerate is difficult.

Creation of army

Karl constantly fought, and this required considerable human and financial resources. With resources it was better - huge territories gave everything and even more. But they needed to be kept. Traditions of predecessors - both father and grandfather - were continued in the form of military reform.

Feudal lords for regular service have increased their land holdings (benefices), plus the existing recruiting system. By order of the year, all the large landowners - the counts and bishops - appeared with their mounted and pedestrian people to the place of collection, already armed and equipped.

Non-appearance on time promised a huge fine, and evasion - a much more serious punishment. Mobilization was seldom universal, most often those regions were at war, the limits of which were threatened by neighbors. It was a very effective system, and the state of the francs expanded and strengthened. So, what achievements did the empire of Charlemagne become famous? Grade 6 will answer: the creation of a real army with a mobilization system.

War with the Lombards

Desiderius was deeply offended and very angry: he cleaned all the supporters of Karl in his country, accepted the escaped loved ones of Carloman and demanded from the Pope the crowning of one of the sons of the deceased king to the Frankish throne.

However, the Pope has already changed. Instead of a soft and soft Stefan, he was met by the strong-willed Adrian. And he met with restraint, demanding guarantees. Instead of them, Desiderius began to devastate the papal regions again. Adrian closed in Rome and sent a message to Charles about the threat of the Holy Roman Church.

This time, Carl was ready. To completely clean his conscience, he twice tried to agree with Desideria, but did not succeed. And I did not want to, probably. Negotiations broke down. Alpine passes were closed and tightly strengthened. Karl along the unknown mountain paths moved the whole army around and went to the rear of the enemy, besieged Pavia, where Desiderius hid, and took Verona, the second capital of the kingdom of the Lombards.

In Rome, Karl entered as a triumphant. Had promised (and deceived!) Adrian new possessions. Meanwhile, the siege of Pavia ended successfully. Desiderius and his relatives were tonsured for monasteries. Karl became the king of the Lombards and joined the two kingdoms into one - Frankish. Langobardia ceased to exist. What achievements did the empire of Charlemagne become famous? The short answer is difficult to give. No matter how bad imperialism is, small feudal fragmentation is yesterday's round of European history. And this is also in the box of facts about what achievements the empire of Charlemagne became famous for.

Order in Italy

However, the war by the defeat of Desiderius did not end. Newly-baked Roman patrician Carl was forced to repeatedly pacify riots and disclose conspiracies.

Finally, having established peace in Saxony, he brought his little son Pipin to Rome, who was anointed to reign in the former Langobardia. The old laws were respected, the local nobility left some privileges and public office.

But, of course, no decision was taken without the consent of Karl - already Great, because in Northern and Central Italy he had acquired absolute power. Now it is clear, by what achievements the empire of Charlemagne became famous. The short answer is a wise policy.

Bavarian passions

The defeat of neighboring Lombardy greatly damaged the state of Bavaria - both military and political. Duke Tassilon III was smart and flexible: not so long ago he created a coalition of Bavaria and Langobardia, and now he tried not to irritate the great Frankish king in any way. Even renewed the oath given to Karl's father. But I did not intend to refuse from autocracy and did not bring troops to the May meetings. And secretly conspired with Byzantium, with all the Italian opponents of Charles, even with the Danube Avars - against Charlemagne.

Carl endured all this not so long. Having finished the war in Saxony, he led troops to the borders of Bavaria. Tassilon began to seek protection from the Pope, who agreed to be a mediator in the search for peace. Karl suggested signing a certain set of documents, but the ambassadors of Tassilon secretly left the city to make no promises. The pope was angry and blessed Carl for the war.

Bavarians, unlike Tassilon, did not harbor hatred for the Franks, they were more afraid. And so the Bavarian king remained with the suddenly very thin army. There is nothing to be done - he brought gifts to Karl, a pledge of oath and left hostages - even his son.

Tassilon was convicted by the Sejm for treason and sentenced to death. Karl pardoned him, forever imprisoned in a monastery. The wife of Tassilon and all his children suffered the same fate.

The autonomy of Bavaria was abolished. The graphs-governors obeyed Charles directly. Together with Bavaria, the Franks also received Slavic lands - Krajna and Carinthia, that is, access to the Balkans. So the territory was replenished. Here are what achievements the empire of Charlemagne (History, Grade 6, consonant with modernity) became famous for.

Coronation on the empire

This is how the first thirty years of Karl's reign took place - in incessant wars, intrigues and numerous victories, which brought such a huge number of countries - large and small, nations - militant and not so much that it became difficult to manage all this economy, keeping the former title. The King of the Franks was thinking about the imperial crown.

What achievements did the empire of Charlemagne become famous? The answers may be different, but one of them is this: reconciliation and the fusion of diverse elements in the form of tribes of the Saxons, Franks, Lombards, Frisians, Alamans, Bavarians - that is, the old German flood of tribes - with Slavic, Romanesque and many other constituent parts of the empire . A neutral new title was necessary: this authority is unquestionable among all subjects, regardless of their origin, language, or faith.

Solve this difficult question could only Rome. The case helped. Pope Leo III, the heir of Adrian, fell into an ugly story and asked for help from Karl as a great patrician who decides on state issues. Against the Pope there was a plot and an attempt on murder. Probably the cause was established in the papal court too secular orders that shocked the noble relatives of the deceased Adrian. Leo III slipped away from the intruders and crossed the Alps, taking refuge with Charles.

Karl assembled the army and immediately moved to Italy to establish there the highest arbitration authority. A trial took place during which Pope Leo III was cleansed by an oath, and his accusers could not prove anything. Of course, the bishops liked this action a little, but, contemplating under the walls of the troops of Charlemagne, few people are capable of objecting. What achievements did the empire of Charlemagne become famous? A brief answer can be as follows: the conquest of world domination.

The famous act of coronation took place at Christmas 800 in the St. Peter's Basilica. The Frankish king, after the papal crown was placed by a magnificent crown, was proclaimed by God crowned by the great and peace-loving (!) Emperor Roman Carl Augustus. These words were repeated three times by all who were present in the temple.

And the formula itself, the course of the case, and the meeting in the church of the highest representatives of the society tell us that the program was drawn up in advance and carefully, no matter how much the pope and Karl themselves were dissuaded. Immediately, an oath of allegiance was brought-also by everyone present, beginning with the Pope. What other achievements have made the empire of Charlemagne famous!

This is how the Roman Empire was again restored, this time with the Christian church in the composition and the German emperor in charge. Karl had to reign for a very long time and triumphantly. He is buried in his native Aachen.