Faculty: Prof. Eric Goldberg
Schedule: TTh 9:30-11
Info: CI-H
This course investigates the fascinating world of the medieval emperor Charles “the Great” or Charlemagne (768-814), the first post-Roman ruler to unite Europe. It asks how Charlemagne and his dynasty, the “Carolingians” (714-888), expanded the kingdom of the Franks and forged a vast empire out of the peoples and territories of the West: not only through conquest and military might, but also through Christianity and the Church, government and law, education and culture, writing and literature, art and architecture, and a reorganization of the economy and society. We will consider the enduring contributions of Charlemagne and his dynasty to the formation of Europe as well as the shortcomings, turmoil, and failures of their empire.
