THE FRANKS AND THE
CAROLINGIAN EMPIRE
HISTORICAL EVOLUTION
In 481, the Franks crossed the Rhine, settled in the
north of Gaul, and Clovis founded the Merovingian
dynasty
In 751, Pepin the Short established the Carolingian
dynasty
His son, Charlemagne (742-814), to re-establishing the
unity of the old Western Roman Empire, conquered the
territories of many tribes:
• The Lombards in northern Italy.
• The Bavarians and the Avars in
cetral Europe.
• The Saxons in northern Germany
He was crowned emperor by Pope Leo III on Christmas in the year
800
When his son, Louis the Pious died in 843, the empire was divided
between his grandsons
THE CAROLINGIAN WAY OF LIFE
Political organisation:
The emperor governed the empire, defended Christianity and
intervened in matters of the Church
The empire was divided
administratively into:
• Counties, run by a count
• Marches, defensive borderland
provinces, run by a marquis
Economic organisation:
Economy was based on agrarian activities, practised on extensive
latifundia belonging to the aristocracy and to the Church:
• Grain were grown
• Limited livestock farming
• Fruits and game obtained
from the forest
Urban activities declined:
• Crafts made on the latifundia, where all necessary items were made
• Commerce was limited to luxury goods for the rich and powerful
Social organisation:
The nobles and the high-ranking ecclesiastics occupied the highest
social position:
• Held most of the land
• Performed the main position in government and administration
They rest of free people:
• Farmers, craftsmen and merchants
The serfs:
• They were bound to work the land,
couldn´t leave it without permission
Culture and art:
Cultural renaissance:
During the reign of Charlemagne, and
had its centre in Aachen
Charlemagne founded the Palace School:
• Led by Alcuin of York
• Inspired by the Roman models
Architecture:
Charlemagne commissioned some remarkable constructions in the
main cities as a manifestation of his power
Charlemagne´s Palace, Aachen
Permanent and
administrative
residence for the
empire
Palatine Chapel:
Built between the year 790 and 805 by architect Odo or Eudes of Metz
Followed the model of the Byzantine church of San Vitale in Ravenna
Three naves, and apse, and a central dome
The Fulda monastery
The monastery of Saint Gall
Sculpture:
Few of them have survived
The sculpture of Charlemagne on horseback is one of the most
popular examples
Small works of art:
Reliquaries and chests made of ivory of metal
Miniatures:
• Small paintings on
parchment that illustrated
books, such as the Gospels
