Charlemagne & the Carolingian Renaissance

In this episode, we cover Charlemagne's coronation, the Carolingian Renaissance, the administrative aspects of his vast realm, and conclude with an examination of Charlemagne the man.

We start with his coronation... By this point, Charlemagne had mastered the art of wartime logistics and organization, handed down news ways of governance and worship to conquered peoples, and soon he would inaugurate the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of renewed interest in the arts, sciences, and learning in general. 

All of this made him a worthy successor to Caesar and Augustus, and the moment now came for him to be recognized as such. It happened during Mass on Christmas day, 800 AD, in old Saint Peter’s Basilica, which was built upon the bones of martyrs in the eternal city of Rome.

Theme track used: The Age of Empire (Zero Project), re-composed by Stavros Stavrou

Audio used: Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade clip