Einhard’s Vita Karoli Magni is a unique document of the early Middle Ages, both from a historical and a literary point of view. It is a personal account by a close associate of the life, character, and achievements of the greatest ruler of his time, Charle­ magne, a man who had a decisive impact on the history of Western Europe. Charlemagne’s character, wisdom, courage, and actions shaped the politi­ cal map of Europe in a way that would decisively mark the trend of Western culture for centuries to come. This alone would explain why the study of his life remains perpetually fascinating to the general public as well as to the historian. But what of Charlemagne as a human being—what of his personal likes and dislikes, his relationships, the ordinary details of his everyday exis­ tence? These questions are answered in this concise biography by Einhard, who spent most of his life in the court as an associate and close friend of the emperor. We learn of a man who liked to dress modestly and felt uncomfortable when the occasion called for pomp and ceremony; a man who preferred hunting and swimming to any other form of recreation; and a man who, already a king and a mightv con­ queror, accepted the imperial crown only because Pope Leo thrust it on him during a celebration in Rome. Chademu ine was a family man who loved his women and his children, yet fcontinued on back flap) $7.95 The Life of Charlemagne Bronze statuette of Charlemagne on horseback {ninth century). Carbevalet Museum, Paris. Einhard V ita The Karoli Life o f M agni Charlemagne The Latin Text With a New English Translation, Introduction, and Notes by Evelyn Scherabon Firchow and Edwin H. Zeydel University of Miami ‘Press Coral Gables, Florida Copyright © 1972 by University of Miami Press Library of Congress Catalog Card No. 71-163840 ISBN 0-87024-212-1 All rights reserved, including rights of reproduction and use in any form or by any means, including the making of copies by any photo process, or by any electronic or mechanical device, printed or written or oral, or recording for sound or visual reproduction or for use in any knowledge or retrieval system or device, unless permission in writing is obtained from the copyright proprietors. Designed by Bernard Lipsky Manufactured in the United States of America Contents Illustrations 7 Preface 9 Introduction 13 Prologue 31 1. The Merovingians 35 2. Charles’ Ancestors 31 3. Charles Becomes King 39 4. Plan of This Work 41 5. War in Aquitaine 43 6. War with the Lombards 45 7. War with the Saxons 47 S. War with the Saxons (continued) 53 9. Expedition to Spain 55 10. Submission of the Bretons and Beneventians 57 11. Tassilo and the War with the Beneventians 59 12. War with the Slavs 6i 13. War with the Huns 63 14. War with the Danes 65 13. Conquests 67 16. Foreign Relations 69 17. Public Works 73 \s. Private Life 15 19 Private Life (continued) 79 20. \ Conspiracies Against Charles 81 21. Treatment of Foreigners 83 22. Personal Appearance 81 2$r Dress 89 24c Habits 91 25.' Studies 93 36. Piety 95 2^ Generosity 91 28. Charles Becomes Emperor 99 29. Reforms 99 30. Coronation of Louis and Charles’ Death 103 31. Burial 105 32. Omens of Death 105 33. Last Will 111 Notes 121 Selected Bibliography Ml 6 Contents Illustrations Bronze statuette of Charlemagne on horseback Frontispiece Map of the Carolingian Empire 16-11 Map of Europe according to ‘Einhard 48-^49 Oldest royal document in Germany 11 Frankish warriors (ca. 900) 84 Page from the oldest manuscript of Einhard’s Vita 85 Basilica of the royal palace in Aachen 108 The monastery of Monte Casino in Latium, Italy 109 Genealogical Table 120