Table of Contents

Introduction: Paderborn, Summer of 799 1. The Frankish Tradition 2. The War against the Lombards 3. Wars against the Pagans 4. The Rebirth of Empire 5. Charlemagne and Europe 6. The Man and His Family 7. Government of the Empire: The Institutions 8. Government of the Empire: The Resources 9. Government of the Empire: The Justice System 10. An Intellectual Project 11. The Frankish Military Machine 12. A New Economy 13. Patronage and Servitude 14. Old Age and Death Notes Bibliography Index

About the Author

Alessandro Barbero is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Piemonte Orientale, Italy. In addition to writing about medieval society and culture, he is the author of the historical novel Bella vita e guerre altrui di Mr. Pyle, gentiluomo, which won the Strega Prize in 1996. Over a period of twelve years, Allan Cameron has translated some twenty books on history, philosophy, and other academic disciplines, including works by leading Italian philosopher Norberto Bobbio and President of the European Commission Romano Prodi.

Reviews

"Barbero's lively and entertaining study provides a superb overview of the latest scholarship on the Carolingian age and constructs a compelling argument for Charlemagne's pivotal role as the father of Europe. We gain a sense of the look and feel of peasant villages, the dynamic interplay of monastic economies and long-distance trade, and the manipulation of justice by local notables. This is histoire totale at its best." - Sharon Farmer, author of Surviving Poverty in Medieval Paris; "This up-to-date account focuses on the man and his times while clearly and judiciously dealing with key historiographical issues. Barbero explores and explodes the myths that have grown up around the emperor." - Barbara H. Rosenwein, Loyola University"