525. Charlemagne: Emperor of the West (Part 3)

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Dec 25, 2024

Charlemagne's coronation on Christmas Day 800 AD marked a pivotal return of emperors to the West. The episode dives into the political turmoil following Pope Hadrian's death and Charlemagne's strategic maneuvering amid power struggles. Notably, it contrasts his rise with Empress Irene's radical rule in Constantinople. The discussion also covers Charlemagne's enduring legacy, his physical portrayal by biographer Einhard, and the fragmentation of power that followed his reign, ultimately shaping the future of the Franks.

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ANECDOTE

Christmas Coronation

Charlemagne's coronation occurred on Christmas Day, 800 AD.
Pope Leo III crowned him emperor, marking the return of a Western Roman Emperor after centuries.

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INSIGHT

Power Dynamics

Charlemagne wasn't the sole power player; Pope Leo III and the Byzantine Emperor in Constantinople also held influence.
The Pope's alliance shifted from Constantinople to the Franks, upsetting the Byzantines.

question_answer

ANECDOTE

Irene's Usurpation

In 797, Irene blinded her son, Constantine VI, to usurp power, becoming the sole reigning Empress in Roman history.
Her rule as a woman wasn't acknowledged in the West, creating an opportunity for Charlemagne.

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Political Turmoil and Charlemagne's Ascension

05:39 • 21min

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Rediscovering an Emperor: Charlemagne's Legacy

26:49 • 2min

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Charlemagne: Portrait and Palace

28:43 • 6min

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Charlemagne and the Fragmentation of Power

34:22 • 27min

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Reflections on Frankish Identity and Upcoming Musical Episodes

01:01:39 • 2min

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Exciting Live Show Announcement: Tchaikovsky and Wagner

01:03:48 • 2min

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Suetonius' biographies of the Caesars

Suetonius

Einhard's biography of Charlemagne

Einhard

King and Emperor

A New Life of Charlemagne

Janet L. Nelson

This biography by Janet L. Nelson provides a comprehensive and detailed account of Charlemagne's life, focusing on his personality, motivations, and the historical context of his reign. Nelson draws heavily from primary sources, including charters, poetry, architecture, numismatics, and epigraphy, to reconstruct Charlemagne's life from birth to death. The book explores his family dynamics, political exploits, and the complexities of his character, presenting a nuanced view of Charlemagne as a warrior, a patron of intellectuals, and a devout Christian. Nelson's work is notable for its chronological structure and its attempt to capture the 'real Charlemagne' beyond the legends and myths that have developed around him.

Who Dares Wins

Dominic Sandbrook

This book tells the story of Britain during the first three years of Margaret Thatcher's government, from 1979 to 1982. It is part of Sandbrook's series on Britain since the Second World War and is praised for its balanced and detailed narrative of the period.

The Rise of Western Christendom

Triumph and Diversity, A.D. 200-1000

Peter Brown

This book examines the development of Western Christianity within the social, political, and economic frameworks of various regions. It explores how Christianity became a foundational element of European ethnic and collective identities. Brown discusses the local autonomy and broader loyalty to Christendom, the innovative features of early Christianity, and its economic dimensions, including the role of almsgiving. The book also delves into the triumph of Christianity in Late Roman towns and the theological debates that shaped the religion.

Charlemagne: The Formation of a European Identity

Rosamond McKitterick

This book offers a critical examination of the narrative representations of Charlemagne produced after his death and the evidence from his lifetime. It analyzes the creation of the Carolingian dynasty, the growth of the kingdom, the court and the royal household, communications and identities in the Frankish realm, and Charlemagne's religious and cultural strategies. The study transforms our understanding of the development of the Carolingian empire and the formation of Carolingian political identity.

The Letters of Alcuin

Correspondence with Charles and Other Notables

Alcuin of York

Alcuin's letters provide valuable insights into the political, social, and theological landscape of the Carolingian Empire. They cover a range of topics, including the conversion of pagans, the role of the church and state, educational reforms, and the theological justifications for military campaigns. In his letters to Charles, Alcuin often addressed issues such as the forced conversion of the Saxons, the mission to the Avars, and the importance of devout preachers for newly converted peoples. These letters reflect Alcuin's close relationship with Charlemagne and his influence on the king's policies and theological views.

Theophanes' Chronicle

Chronographia

Theophanes the Confessor

Theophanes' Chronicle, also known as Chronographia, is a historical work that continues the chronicle of George Syncellus. It covers events from the accession of Diocletian in 284 to the downfall of Michael I Rhangabes in 813. The chronicle is valuable for preserving accounts of lost authorities on Byzantine history, particularly for the 7th and 8th centuries. It includes detailed entries on significant events such as the Byzantine victory over the Arab besiegers of Constantinople and the development of the Arab polity. Theophanes' work is notable for its use of older sources now lost and its detailed account of historical events, although it lacks depth of scholarship and historical insight in some areas.

Women in Purple: Rulers of Medieval Byzantium

Catherine Otten-Froux

Judith Herrin

Margaret Mullett

This book explores the lives and influence of three Byzantine women—Irene, Euphrosyne, and Theodora—who played significant roles as rulers during the eighth and ninth centuries. The authors delve into how these women, despite the typical restrictions on female involvement in religious matters, insisted on the preservation of Christian icons and went against the iconoclasm prevalent among Byzantine rulers. The book provides vivid descriptions of court life, the streets of medieval Constantinople, and the roles of various figures within the Byzantine Empire, offering a comprehensive and engaging look at the lives of these powerful women.

“And from that moment on, he was addressed as emperor and Augustus!”

The coronation of Charlemagne on Christmas Day 800 AD, is one of the landmark moments in all world history. More than three centuries after the fall of the Roman Empire in the West, the emperors had returned once more, and a Caesar ruled in Rome. But how did this legendary event come to pass? For many years Charlemagne, though a formidable figure, had been but one power player in the game of empires, competing with the emperor of Constantinople and the new Pope in Rome. Then, in 797 a spectacular crisis struck Constantinople. The cruel and politically feckless emperor, Constantine VI, was ruthlessly usurped by his mother, Irene, who became the first and only ruling empress in the whole sweep of Roman history. In the West though, her rule as a woman was not acknowledged. To Charlemagne, then, it seemed the perfect opportunity to claim the vacant throne. What unfolded after this would see Rome and Constantinople lock horns in a terrible power struggle, involving blindings, mutilation and political scheming. With Charlemagne acting as arbiter between them, would he take the ultimate step and become, for the first time since 476 AD, the emperor in Rome?

Join Tom and Dominic for the climax of their epic series on Charlemagne: the Frankish king turned emperor, who transformed the western world forever. What would become of his mighty empire, faced with Saracen pirates, vikings and division?

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Twitter:

@TheRestHistory

@holland_tom

@dcsandbrook

Producer: Theo Young-Smith

Assistant Producer: Tabby Syrett

Editor: Aaliyah Akude

Executive Producers: Jack Davenport + Tony Pastor

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