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Session 3: Response Paper
Cody W. Ogle
HIS-202A: Western Civilizationd I
Colorado Christian University
Lilia Anand
September 24, 2023
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Session 3: Response Paper
Charlemagne, also known as Charles the Great, is regarded as one of the most influential leaders
in history as he carved out a destiny for Western Europe that still resembles his mark today. In
this paper, we will talk about a few of the outstanding qualities that allowed him to amass and
unite a large array of regions and cultures under his rule. We will also discuss how he was such
an influential figure in Western Europe and what impacts he may still have today. As the King of
the Franks and Lombards, and later the Emperor of the Romans, Charlemagne showed
exceptional leadership qualities time and time again as he would cement his legacy in European
culture for the rest of time.
One of Charlemagne's best qualities is that he was a strategic military leader. Charlemagne was a
highly accomplished general who expanded his kingdom into an empire that covered most of
Western and Central Europe. In an article by Joshua Mark at Worldhistory.org (2019), Mark
writes “Charlemagne ruled from the start by force of his personality which embodied the
warrior-king ethos combined with Christian vision.” His ability to strategize and execute military
plans was a key factor in his successful expansions. For example, against the Lombards, Saxons,
and the Avars, he secured numerous victories and won many conflicts as he attempted to unify a
large territory. “He conquered the Lombards in 774 and brought their lands into his kingdom.”
(Mark. J., 2019). Charlemagne led a total of 18 total campaigns on the Saxons and eventually
broke their will to fight. Joshua Mark (2019) writes in his article that “Each time Charlemagne
thought he had subdued the
Saxons
and put their struggle to rest, they rebelled again.” His
military power was too much for the people of Saxon to handle and eventually, in 804, they fell
completely. The Avars surrendered to Charlemagne in 795, but after refusing to trust them,
Charlemagne attacked their stronghold and defeated them completely in 796 “effectively ending
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them as a people.” (Mark, J., 2019). Charlemagne’s military power and its strategic organization
played a significant role in his effective rule and allowed him to expand his Carolingian Empire,
making this one of his greatest qualities as a Western European leader.
Another great quality that Charlemagne held as a leader was his strong belief in his faith. In our
book
The Earth and Its People
(2019), the author writes “At the peak of Charlemagne’s power,
the Carolingian Empire encompassed all of Gaul and parts of Germany and Italy.” During his
military campaigns, he used his religion as a guide in ruling and used his faith to mold his vision
of uniting Europe. His reforms encouraged the spread of Christianity, and he used the church as a
stabilizing force within his empire. In an article written by Richard Sullivan for Britannica.com
(2023), these are the major concerns that Charlemagne’s religious reform was built around. “The
reform focused on a few major concerns: strengthening the church’s hierarchical structure,
clarifying the powers and responsibilities of the hierarchy, improving the intellectual and moral
quality of the clergy, protecting and expanding ecclesiastical resources, standardizing liturgical
practices, intensifying pastoral care aimed at a general understanding of the basic tenets of the
faith and improvement of morals, and rooting out paganism.” God tells us in Hebrews 13:17,
“Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you. Consider the outcome of their way
of life and imitate their faith.” Charlemagne’s faith was imitated by his people unconditionally.
In conclusion, Charlemagne used his strong military visions and his devout Christian beliefs to
expand his empire making him one of the most influential and successful leaders of the Middle
Ages. As a military leader, he would use his strategic thinking and tactical approach that would
lead campaigns that covered large areas of Western and Central Europe. This would eventually
lead to him becoming “the first in Western Europe to bear the title
Emperor
in over 300 years.”
(Bulliet, R. W., et al., p. 268). He would also lead spread Christianity throughout his empire as he
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tried to develop a united Christian Europe. He left a significant mark on the society, culture, and
religious landscape of Europe that still stands long after his death in 814 at the age of 72 years
old.
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References
Bulliet, R. W., Hirsch, S. W., Johnson, L. L., Crossley, P. K., & Northrup, D. (2018). The
Earth and its peoples: A global history. Cengage.
Zondervan. (2013).
Holy Bible: New International Version
. Original Works Published 1973.
Mark, Joshua J. (2019).
Charlemagne
. World History Publishing. Retrieved from:
https://www.worldhistory.org/Charlemagne/
Sullivan, Richard E. (2019).
Charlemagne: Holy Roman Emperor.
The Editors of Encyclopedia
Britannica. Retrieved from:
https://www.britannica.com/biography/Charlemagne/Religious-reform