Charlemagne Book

Tuesday,December 2,2014

World history has ultimately controlled the existence of the human race; including their determinism. Nevertheless, as states sought power and leaders gained recognition, whether Marxism or Nazism was implemented and enforced on the citizens. Marxism is the determinism of class, when Nazism is the determinism of race. Most importantly, the fact that men and women are seen as slaves tends to obliterate human qualities throughout their lifetime. In other words, human freedom and responsibility. For instance, "a British politician crossing Fifth Avenue in New York City between 76th an 77th Streets…looked in the wrong direction and was knocked down by an automobile" (Schlesinger 6). In deduction, world history has indeed controlled the existence of mankind, at least determinism.

Leadership by definition has altered to various viewpoints through series of generations. Indeed, leadership tightens the relationship between an individual and a group. Nonetheless, leaders may be ferocious or humanitarian depending on their achievement of leader by title. In other words, there is no mere reason to the profit of leader by title upon several years of research: "Do leaders lead by force or by persuasion? By command or by consent?" (Schlesinger 8). Moreover, in the 18th century leadership served for humane purposes on behalf Europe, for domination, land, gold abounded exquisitely and resulted in tyranny. In assumption, leadership has indeed altered to numerous definitions through undergoing generations.

Democracy is really conspicuous to world history, as it happens to predominantly answer success. In fact, it measures leadership by results and retires those who overreach or falter or fail. In other words, although it may after effect in blessing or infinite harm, it is not always guaranteed that democracy is a virtue or regrets on behalf the government. For instance, "Democracy does not eliminate emotion from politics; sometimes it fosters demagoguery; but it is confident that, as the greatest of democratic leaders put it, you cannot fool all of the people all of the time" (Schlesinger 9). In grand conclusion, democracy is important in world history and still is, as it is dedicated to politics; which apparently is a crucial component in daily lives.


Friday, December 12, 2014

Charlemagne's title stands today significantly amongst other leaders on account of two reasons. Firstly, Charlemagne displayed and gifted deep reverence to the Roman Church-Christianity. In other words, " Charlemagne had taken action on a crisis…the forced removal of the pope and averted it" (Gelfand 12). Secondly, Charlemagne was able to unite most of Europe; at least Western Europe as, he was king of the Franks. In other words, he had conquered and later on united dozens of tribes that took part of his developing kingdom; in fact he is currently referred to Father of Europe. All in all, Charlemagne is indeed a great leader; thence his title significantly stands today.

Charlemagne succeeded a variety of conquests throughout his lifetime. Nevertheless, he sought to unite all the Germanic people into one kingdom. For instance, "…the realms of Saxony, Bavaria, Avars (modern Austria and Hungary), France, Lombardy, and Rome" (Gelfand 14). Likewise, Charlemagne had confronted the most difficulties in finally conquering Saxony. In other words, the battles against the Saxons lasted three decades, with a cruel and major after affect of a myriad of slaughtered Saxons. In assumption, Charlemagne succeeded various conquests, which shaped his later eminent, Frankish kingdom.

Under Charlemagne's reign several aspects of society altered. Furthermore, the different degrees of power on behalf the society changed. In other words, "unlike the old Roman Empire…the newly crowned Roman Emperor was subordinate to the pope" (Gelfand 15). Moreover, as a result of the change in terms of the title of king, rejoiced the Church now that it enjoyed peace, authority, influence, and prestige. In other words, "The coronation also meant that the political alliance of the Papacy was no longer divided between the Byzantines and the de facto power of Charlemagne…it was now subject to the zeal and vigilance of Charlemagne" (Gelfand15). In deduction, under Charlemagne's rule, there were many altered aspects in life.

After Charlemagne's rule, there were many left impacts regardless to the ruthlessness he underwent within his rule. In addition, Charlemagne had left a great extending religious empire by means of Christianity. In other words, " After Charlemagne's death the title would become known as Holy Roman Emperor…the last emperor to try to assume the title would be Napoleon I in 1804" (Gelfand 14). Likewise, god tends to be the key to all Charlemagne's victories, as Charlemagne was indeed religious throughout his lifetime. In other words, the Annales Laureshamenses, a contemporary monastic account, claims that God had aided Charlemagne as; he would be a memorable leader for the protection and support to the Christian Church. In conclusion, Charlemagne's rule carried a huge after math in the name of the World we live in, as he is today also referred to Charles the Great.


Thursday,December 18, 2014

Charles Martel was Charlemagne's grandfather and one of the world's phenomenal examples in terms of leadership. Furthermore, Charles Martel was a protector to the Roman Church, and therefore was granted the title of: Mayor of the Palace. In other words, "According to the Chronicle of Saint Denis, the Muslims had planned to go to Tours to destroy first the Church of Saint Martin…Charles Martel defeated the invaders in what became known as the Battle of Tours…it was a turning point in European history" (Gelfand 18). Moreover, he had surprisingly dashed all his enemies during his reign and therefore was granted the title of: Charles the Hammer. In other words, he had defeated the unruly Lombards in Italy and had received several letters from Popes, thanking him and blessing him; "For by doing this you will attain lasting fame on earth and eternal life in heaven" (Gelfand 19). In fact, it is according to the French word of hammer "marteau" that Charles was given the additional surname of Charles Martel. In conclusion, Charles Martel is indeed one of the phenomenal examples in terms of leadership according to the world.

Pepin III or (Pepin the short) was Charlemagne's father and marked a major point according to Charlemagne's pedigree. Furthermore, Pepin the III was the first to gain the title: King of the Franks in 751 out of Charlemagne's pedigree as, Charles Martel was Mayor of the Palace and before that it was just an ordinary family. In other words, "In the city of Soissons he was anointed with the holy oil by hands of Boniface…and was raised to the throne after the custom of the Franks" (Gelfand 19). Moreover, Pepin's coronation began a new relationship between the papacy and Frankish kings that after affected in failure apropos the Roman Church, however later on recovered under Charlemagne. In other words, after the new developed system, Pope Hadrian I was attacked since King Desiderius of Lombardy seized some territory given to Pepin by the papacy where Pope Hadrian I was installed as pope. In assumption, Pepin III marked a major point according to Charlemagne's pedigree.

The Roman Church was a crucial component within daily lives as, they had a good deal of respect and authority and sometimes even higher than the king. For starters, there has always been a change to the relationship between the papacy and the Kings and yet no final change was confirmed. In other words, after there was such great destruction under Pepin III and then a cushioning recover of the land under Charlemagne, by then the church leaders believed in a system where the papacy would be equal to the King's authority. Secondly, the popes developed a system in which the papacy and the king was equal regarding the great protection by Charlemagne in favor to the love of the Roman Church. In other words, "…if the pope had not acted when he did, the papacy would have lost its independence to Charlemagne's rule…"(Gelfand 20). Long story short, the Roman church meant a lot to Frankish society.

Charlemagne or (Charles the Great) was son of Pepin III and also marked the importance and power of the Carolingian (Charlemagne's family name) empire. Furthermore, he was urged by Pope Hadrian I to come to his defense since the Roman Church was in grand conflict with the Lombards of Italy. For instance, Charlemagne had showed his loyalty towards the Church subsequently; "…crossed the Alps…Charlemagne endured great hard-ships in climbing the mountain ridges and ragged peaks that had no existing paths or tracks…" (Gelfand 20). In addition, Charlemagne succeeded in expelling King Desiderius as well as his son Adalgis and was able to recover all took territory along with eliminating the Lombards. In other words, "…he had expanded the Papal States that had been created and donated by his father, Pepin" (Gelfand 20). In assumption, Charlemagne was a great leader who had marked the power of the Carolingian empire.


Thursday,January 8, 2015

Charlemagne succeeded the throne at such early age: 29, considering two central virtues according to prophecy. Furthermore, Charlemagne's great military prowess made him a popular hero to his subjects. Nonetheless, "…anointed to kingly office when he was just 10 years old…he repeatedly accompanied his father into battle" (Gelfand 42). In addition, his majestic pride displayed a solid look-up example and therefore honored as Augustus and thus became mere Western ruler to earn this title since the fifth century. In other words, "Charlemagne was a complex and often contradictory human being" (Gelfand 42), making him proud relative to the others. In assumption, Charlemagne utilized two central virtues that shaped his virtually ultimate goal: sole king.

Charlemagne made good use of his time on a daily basis, and was skilled at multitasking. Indeed, he believed that a subordinate thing should remain subordinate and useless since it doesn't serve for any good. In fact, "His meals ordinarily consisted of four courses…while at table, he listened to reading or music (rather than being entertained by traditional jesters)" (Gelfand 44). In supplementary, Charlemagne was unique and moderate in terms of the use of his time. In other words, "He was so moderate in the use of wine and all sorts of drink…He was in habit of awaking and rising from bed four to five times during the night" (Gelfand 44-45). In conclusion, Charlemagne indeed made good use of his time with no waste on a repeated daily basis.

Charlemagne's relationship with his multiple wives tends to be helpful and therefore unique. Moreover, he had five wives and in turns obtained 16-18 children that continued his legacy. In other words, "…a devout Christian and devoted to the Church, he nonetheless had at least four-possibly five-lawful wives…had at least seven children with Hildegarde (including Charles the Younger, King of France; Pepin I, King of Italy; and Louis I, King of France, Germany, and Italy)" (Gelfand 48). In addition, his wives served as means of democracy when it came to battle among two or more powerful sovereignties. Correspondingly, Philip II of Macedonia developed the same skill: marrying an opposing woman associated with the royal family; although a good time before hence, Phillip ruled within the 300s BC when Charlemagne ruled within the 800s. More or less, Charlemagne's unique relationship with his family members after affected into his continued legacy and recognition exactly like the great Phillip II of Macedonia.

Charlemagne had traversed difficulties and regrets upon his rein other than constant victory, however only one major battle resumes this high point upon his rule: the Spanish campaign. Indeed, after he had ended the battle with Saxons, which apparently was his longest battle of 33 years, he had decided to aid the Moorish rulers down in Spain to defeat the Islamic caliphate. Moreover, after crossing the grand Pyrenees, he began to battle when all of a sudden he heard that the Saxons have revolted and are destroying portions of the Frankish kingdom. Unfortunately, "The Gascons, who lay in ambush on the top of a very high mountain, attacked the rear of the baggage train and the rear guard in charge of it and hurled them down to the very bottom of the valley" (Gelfand 58). As a matter of fact, once Charlemagne returned to his kingdom he had realized that the Saxons constructed their own pagan buildings annihilating a few Christian churches along with several Frankish citizens. In conclusion, this remarkable regret or perhaps unusual defeat had marked the end of Charlemagne's military career as well as the end of expansion upon the Frankish empire, as it comes to be that the Moorish rulers, who are associated with the Islamic caliphate launched a fairly secretive ploy on Charlemagne.


Thursday, January 15,2015

Charlemagne's legacy stands currently as an eminent period of history prior to the Europeans. Furthermore, Charlemagne's legacy contained an important political move. In other words, "Charlemagne was now officially the head of the greatest empire in the western world" (Gelfand 86). Moreover, Charlemagne's legacy had marked a period of great power. In other words, "Michael I of Byzantium…was forced to recognize Charlemagne's title in exchange for the territories of Venetia (Venice), Istria, and Dalmatia (both part of modern-day Croatia)" (Gelfand 87). In conclusion, Charlemagne's legacy indeed stands amongst others memorable and conspicuous.


Charlemagne was a humane and kind person in the name of the society he lived in, and therefore is indeed inspired by many later historians including Einhard. Furthermore, he is known to be serious and would rather get things done than play around making him a beloved and a better known person. In other words, "'the symmetry of the rest of his body concealed these defects'" (Gelfand 44). In addition, he was known to be powerful and therefore prideful, "he was of German blood"(Gelfand 44). In fact, he is somewhat similar to the infamous Hitler forasmuch as, "…his voice was rather high pitched and thin" (Gelfand 44). In conclusion, Charlemagne was a kind and serious person and therefore well known even before he held the throne.

Gaul was an important realm on behalf Julius Cesar to all people regardless of its decline at one point. In fact, it is economically important, since the Gaulic market is situated in Gaul and is one of the most major markets in Europe at that time. Furthermore, Gaul flourished economically and therefore the citizens were pleasant with the increased security. For example, "…benefited from increased security against invasions by the Goths and other barbarian tribes…mud huts were replaced with villages and towns" (Gelfand 28). In addition, as any chief period of time in history rises and declines, Gaul somewhat declined by being divided into provinces since the Gaulic market didn't offer much profit. As a matter of fact, the Gaulic market was dependent upon neighboring Rome whom they preferred to trade with than other kingdoms, so when Rome declined Gaul had to separate into provinces. More or less, Gaul was indeed an important territory according to the fact that the grand Julius Cesar conquered it, however most importantly thanks to its Gaulic market.


Before Claudius I ruled the Roman Empire, there was chaos in pretty much every field of occupation and even religion was a problem. Furthermore, there were all sorts of different religions at that time including those of the Celts and Druids. In other words, these two doctrines claimed two different ideas: Celts: the fact that there are different gods specialized in different things that should be honored, Druids: the idea of human sacrifice and the chop of the head if one fails or rejects to go by the rules. In addition, once Claudius I came to power he decided to push reforms in order to clean up the whole disaster. In other words, under Claudius I Celtic priests crushed, Druidic religion crushed, Celtic gods replaced by Roman emperors (who is the supreme being). Long story short, under Claudius I the Roman Empire became more of an advanced and progressive empire.