Read by 6 October 2010

This week we will be looking at Great Men of the Early Middle Ages with a focus upon Charlemagne and the rise of Papal power.

CHARLEMAGNE

1. Charlemagne = Charles the Great
2. Note that like other important leaders we have discussed, Charlemagne had an unusually long reign.
3. Charlemagne was not known as a brilliant military tactician but he is one of the greatest organizational geniuses in political history.
4. Charlemagne was absolutely committed to Christianity and to Christian learning. His reign is sometimes referred to as the Carolingian Renaissance (Carolingian is the name of his family).

THE RISE OF PAPAL POWER

1. It is important to realize that Italy was in state of decline during this period and the prestige and power of the Bishop of Rome was in considerable decline until the Bishops of Rome undertook a series of politically astute moves to build their power.
2. While the Bishop of Constantinople was generally seen as the senior Bishop of the Universal ("catholic" = universal) Christian Church, the Bishop of Rome embarked on a daring power grab by crowing Western European Kings and ultimately the "Holy Roman Emperor".
3. What advantage did politicians gain by being crowned by the "Pope"?
4. What advantage did the papacy gain by becoming the instrument for crowing civil magistrates?

It would be helpful if you could read this article on Gregory the Great prior to class.