Written circa 826, Einhard’s Life of Charlemagne provides historians with rare insight into Emperor Charlemagne’s inner circle and intimate details of his life. Intended to commemorate Charlemagne’s character and achievements, Einhard’s document also delves into the nature of Charlemagne’s empire, examining which political strategies helped or hindered the Frankish Empire’s formation. In regards to the nature and scope of Charlemagne’s empire, Einhard draws particular attention to the ways in which the Frankish Empire was the continuation and embodiment of old, Roman prestige. However, Einhard ultimately draws attention away from traditional associations of empire and imperialism, instead focusing on a very specific– and often overlooked–
…show more content…
Aside from highlighting Charlemagne’s diplomatic and militaristic prowess, Einhard also depicts Charlemagne’s affinity towards education, stating, “He avidly pursued the liberal arts and greatly honoured those teachers whom he deeply respected.” That said, Einhard particularly emphasizes Charlemagne’s excellent oratory skills, claiming “[Charles] was a gifted and ready speaker, able to express clearly whatever he wished to say.” Furthermore, Einhard also describes Charlemagne’s flexibility, as, “not being content with knowing only his own native tongue, [Charlemagne] also made an effort to learn foreign languages. Here, Einhard places Charlemagne’s articulated speech above other aspects of his intellect, implying that his oration skills helped establish his greatness. While he absorbs several territories and ethnic groups into his empire, Charlemagne’s ability to manipulate language and connect with his subjects ultimately what separated his persona from that of a tyrant. Furthermore, in prioritizing Charlemagne’s articulation and elevated speech, Einhard establishes a direct connection between Charlemagne and other renowned Roman orators, such as Cicero and Seneca. This emphasis in turn places Charlemagne within the Roman Empire’s literary tradition, and attributes his successful communication with his subjects to Rome’s legacy of …show more content…
Having received scholarly guidance from a number of wise mentors, Charlemagne first manifests his devotion to education in his children, who he believed “should be educated, first in the liberal arts, which he himself had studied.” From his children onward, Charlemagne’s interest in building a literate society engendered a noticeable flourishing of culture that was grounded in the intellectual achievements of the Roman Empire. Charlemagne’s dedication to literacy is particularly manifested in the Admonitio Generalis, an educational policy that regulated the use of texts in schools and bolstered the Carolingian rebirth of learning. That said, Einhard also establishes how Charlemagne’s approach to education differed from Rome in terms of his attentiveness to Christianity and prioritization of Christian documents. As he followed Christianity “with a great piety and devotion,” Charlemagne ultimately aimed to impart a religious uniformity that was effectively maintained through the strict regulation of religious texts taught in schools. Nonetheless, as Latin was the official language of government and education, there was a conscious attempt to resurrect ancient literature and purify the ancestral language of the Roman Empire. This in
Aside from highlighting Charlemagne’s diplomatic and militaristic prowess, Einhard also depicts Charlemagne’s affinity towards education, stating, “He avidly pursued the liberal arts and greatly honoured those teachers whom he deeply respected.” That said, Einhard particularly emphasizes Charlemagne’s excellent oratory skills, claiming “[Charles] was a gifted and ready speaker, able to express clearly whatever he wished to say.” Furthermore, Einhard also describes Charlemagne’s flexibility, as, “not being content with knowing only his own native tongue, [Charlemagne] also made an effort to learn foreign languages. Here, Einhard places Charlemagne’s articulated speech above other aspects of his intellect, implying that his oration skills helped establish his greatness. While he absorbs several territories and ethnic groups into his empire, Charlemagne’s ability to manipulate language and connect with his subjects ultimately what separated his persona from that of a tyrant. Furthermore, in prioritizing Charlemagne’s articulation and elevated speech, Einhard establishes a direct connection between Charlemagne and other renowned Roman orators, such as Cicero and Seneca. This emphasis in turn places Charlemagne within the Roman Empire’s literary tradition, and attributes his successful communication with his subjects to Rome’s legacy of …show more content…
Having received scholarly guidance from a number of wise mentors, Charlemagne first manifests his devotion to education in his children, who he believed “should be educated, first in the liberal arts, which he himself had studied.” From his children onward, Charlemagne’s interest in building a literate society engendered a noticeable flourishing of culture that was grounded in the intellectual achievements of the Roman Empire. Charlemagne’s dedication to literacy is particularly manifested in the Admonitio Generalis, an educational policy that regulated the use of texts in schools and bolstered the Carolingian rebirth of learning. That said, Einhard also establishes how Charlemagne’s approach to education differed from Rome in terms of his attentiveness to Christianity and prioritization of Christian documents. As he followed Christianity “with a great piety and devotion,” Charlemagne ultimately aimed to impart a religious uniformity that was effectively maintained through the strict regulation of religious texts taught in schools. Nonetheless, as Latin was the official language of government and education, there was a conscious attempt to resurrect ancient literature and purify the ancestral language of the Roman Empire. This in