Question

REVIEw QUESTIONS 1. According to Einhard, what aspects of Char- lemagne's policies and personality made him an effective ruler? Does Einhard seem to be mask- ing any of the emperor's weaknesses? Why? 2. What can we learn from this source about th role and status of women in the Carolingian court? 3. How does this portrait of Charlemagne by an intimate member of his court compare with that of Justinian by Procopius (pp. 223-228)? How would you account for the differences in tone, style, and content?

Answer 1

Ans. 1- Charlemagne, was the well know ruler Holy Roman Emperor from 800 AD, he is widely known as the Charles the Great. He united the western and central Europe in the middle age. Charlemagne has been called the Father of Europe. The Charlemagne was a great administrator, his reforms were considered as one of the best ruling policies by contemporary and modern historians. Charlemagne reformed Monterey, military and cultural aspects of European administration.

Einhard was a scholar and courtier of Charlemagne’s regime. Einhard explained about the policies of Charlemagne.

Charlemagne had an important role in Europe economic transformation, he used the silver in the place of gold due to shortage of metal. He introduced Capitulary for the Jews, an act on Jews engaging money lending.

His policies made him a great ruler of Europe. His reforms helped Europe to emerge as a great regime.

Ans. 2- Women in Carolingian court experienced many privileges, the contemporary society and ruler gave them special place in court. During the middle age the Frankish society transformed from tribal structure to complex hierarchical organization so that the place of women also changed. The influence on women in court established an attentive and effective position.

Ans. 3- Procopius was a prominent late scholar from Palaestina Prima. The portrait of Charlemagne and Justinian differ in many perspectives like colours, tone, style and content. The Charlemagne was a prominent king and in his portrait, we can see the content variation than Justinian.

Justinian portrait have Roman background and the tone of image reflex the roman era while the Portrait of Charlemagne showing the European tone and style. The tone of both image have different way of administration, in the portrait of Charlemagne, we can see a crown belong to church tone and the Justinian portrait have significant difference with Charlemagne.