Einhard was a Frankish scholar and member of the court of Emperor Charlemagne. He had been educated at Fulda, one of the most prestigious centers of learning in the Frankish territories (this includes Germany, central Europe, and France) of the time. His most important work was the Vita Karoli Magni (the life of Charlemagne), which became one of the first biographies of European kings written and modeled after ancient Roman literature. Einhard’s work is the most extensive source of the life of the Holy Roman Emperor Charlemagne.

Directions:

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Read the primary source, The Life of Charlemagne by Einhard and answer the following questions in 1-2 paragraphs or in a video response:

1. How does Einhard describe Emperor Charlemagne physically? (Use specific examples)
2. How does Einhard describe Emperor Charlemagne intellectually? (Use specific examples)
3. As the Holy Roman Emperor, what kind of learning and education does Charlemagne seem to support?
4. Why do you think ancient Roman forms of education (the study of Latin and liberal arts) were still important in the reign of Charlemagne?

Outcome: The purpose of this discussion is to encourage students to examine the interconnectedness of political structures with religious institutions in the ancient world.

No Other sources needed.