An Unofficial 'The Rest Is History' Reading List

524. Charlemagne: Pagan Killer (Part 2)

December 23, 2024

Description

“Here was a program to wet the ambitions of warlords as well as scholars, and to send men into battle beneath the fluttering of banners, the hiss of arrows, and the shadow of carrion crows…” The...
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Books Referenced

Life of Charlemagne

Author: Einhard

Context:

Referenced multiple times as the source for descriptions of Charlemagne's character traits, physical descriptions, and accounts of events like the Avar treasure. Einhard is described as 'this very short scholar who wrote a biography of Charlemagne.'

Life of Augustus

Author: Suetonius

Context:

Mentioned as the model that Einhard used for his biography of Charlemagne: 'Einhard models his biography on Suetonius' biography of Augustus.'

King Charles: A Biography of Charlemagne

Author: Janet Nelson

Context:

Described as 'her brilliant biography of Charlemagne' when discussing why Desiderius refused Charlemagne's offer, quoting her explanation about the Lombard king's honor.

Life of Hadrian I

Author: Anonymous (papal biographer)

Context:

A medieval papal biography cited multiple times for accounts of the Lombard war, including descriptions of Charlemagne's campaigns against Desiderius and the capture of Pavia. Referred to as 'a life of Hadrian I' and 'the life of Hadrian, the Pope.'