To whom it may concern,
The events leading up to this coronation in 800 C.E have been numerous, but the self-compared “biblical king” is about to be crowned. “To Charlemagne and his advisers, it was obvious that as God was the sole legitimate ruler in heaven, Charlemagne was the sole legitimate and divinely appointed ruler on earth,” (Noble, 213). His coronation on Christmas Day is the most disputed event in his reign. After Charlemagne was finished praying, Pope Leo acclaimed Charlemagne emperor and placed a crown upon his head. This adornment of the crown came with opposition. Einhard rationalized, stating that Charlemagne did not wish to be emperor, however, he voiced his opinion of his social status very openly, so I believe this disinterest is falsified.
Rome is much different from the time of Augustus/Octavian in 14 C.E. Back then was the time of the Republic, and imperialist rule. Territories were much larger back then, spanning multiple continents, and the reign was more extensive and more powerful (Noble, 142). Christianity was seen as a witch-like cult.
In 325 C.E. the first Council of Nicaea was held, where the Nicene Creed was made. It makes us remember Constantine, where he “wove such a crown for Christ with the bond of peace,” (Cameron & Hall, 124). The time of Constantine started the progression of a Christian Aristocracy and a societal acceptance of Christianity. The extent of Christianity spanned continents, much like the Roman Empire in 14 C.E. but only in smaller regions of these continents, never being centrally accepted. After the First Council, the expansion of Christianity began. With the help of Augustine and his view, “Most glorious is the City of God,” which he began with in his City of God, ignited the expansion as well (Dyson, 3).
His rule crossed a line between Church and State that had never been crossed, and opened up society to possible future struggles with leadership in non-religious and Christian society. Never had an emperor be appointed by a religious member; in the first century people were appointed by the adoption of the previous emperor to adhere to the bloodlines. Ancient Romans would be appalled at this idea that their new ruler was chosen by someone in a religious sector. The Ancient Roman view of Christianity would only exacerbate the opposition to the even taking place this Christmas, 800 C.E.
In this century, the political situation is now a lack of separation between Church and State. The acclaimed Frankish and Christian emperor, Charlemagne, surfaced the creation of institutional structures, chaplains helped the courts with their religious needs. Religious members became vassals, and ruled under the King. Alongside the Carolingian empire, the presence of the Abbasid and Byzantine empires surfaced a difference in religious preference in this region (Noble, 207). The differences in religious preferences, and not viewing the emperor as a God is strange to me, I do not believe these witches of Christians should be as accepted; they have laced themselves into the Roman rule and can now appoint their own rulers. This religion seems far too powerful, and must be stopped!
Sources:
Cameron & S. Hall, Eusebius: Life of Constantine, Clarendon (120-131) 1999.
Noble, Thomas, et.al. Western Civilization: Beyond Boundaries. 7th ed. Vol. 1. (511) Boston, MA: Wadsworth, Cengage Learning, 2014.
R.W. Dyson, Augustine: The City of God against the Pagans, Cambridge (3-50) 1998.
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