What do you think?
Rate this book
The Life of Charlemagne
A vivid life of Charlemagne, written ca A.D. 830 by a member of his court.
38 pages, ebook
First published January 1, 818
65 people are currently reading
1255 people want to read
About the author
Einhard
76 books25 followersHistorian, born c. 770 in the district of the River Main in the eastern part of the Frankish Empire; d. 14 March, 840, at Seligenstadt. His earliest training he received at the monastery of Fulda, where he showed such exceptional promise that Abbot Baugulf sent him to the court of Charlemagne. His education was completed at the Palace School, where he was fortunate enough to count among his masters the great Alcuin, who bears witness to his remarkable talents in mathematics and architecture, and also to the fact that he was among the emperor's most trusted advisers. Charlemagne gave Einhard charge of his great public buildings, e.g. the construction of Aachen cathedral and the palaces of Aachen and Ingelheim. Charlemagne also availed himself of Einhard's tact and prudence to send him on various diplomatic missions.
The most important of Einhard's works is the Vita Caroli Magni. This, the best biography of the whole period of the Middle Ages, written in close imitation of Suetonius, shows the emperor from the standpoint of the most intimate personal acquaintance with all sides of his character, and with a genuine attempt at truth of portrayal. The diction is in general elegant, though not polished. The annals of the Carolingian Empire, which have been handed down as Einhard's, are, in their present form, older materials worked over. Those for the years between 796 and 820 may date back to Einhard. In addition, we have from his hand the Translatio et Miracula SS. Marcellini et Petri, containing data which are important for the history of culture. The seventy-one letters, written by Einhard between 825 and 830 in a clear, simple style, constitute an important source for the history of Louis the Pious.
(Source: The Catholic Encyclopedia)
The most important of Einhard's works is the Vita Caroli Magni. This, the best biography of the whole period of the Middle Ages, written in close imitation of Suetonius, shows the emperor from the standpoint of the most intimate personal acquaintance with all sides of his character, and with a genuine attempt at truth of portrayal. The diction is in general elegant, though not polished. The annals of the Carolingian Empire, which have been handed down as Einhard's, are, in their present form, older materials worked over. Those for the years between 796 and 820 may date back to Einhard. In addition, we have from his hand the Translatio et Miracula SS. Marcellini et Petri, containing data which are important for the history of culture. The seventy-one letters, written by Einhard between 825 and 830 in a clear, simple style, constitute an important source for the history of Louis the Pious.
(Source: The Catholic Encyclopedia)
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews
February 2, 2013
This is such a lovely little biography, and a lot of fun to read. The middle section, especially, is so personal and filled with little details that you don't find all that frequently in medieval sources. Thanks to Einhard we get to hear about Charlemagne's elephant, his hatred of doctors (they told him it would be healthier for him to eat boiled meat, instead of roasted), the fact that he like to listen to readings from Augustine's City of God, he didn't want to marry off any of his daughters, and that he loved learning about astronomy from his teacher Alcuin. There's even a little section where you learn that he kept notebooks under his pillow to practice his writing, he hated to see people drunk, and that he had a noticeably protruding stomach.
This was written about a decade after Charles's death, during the more problematic reign of his son Louis the Pious, so it's possible that a lot of this his heavily tinted by nostalgia that surpasses even the traditional medieval biographical exaggeration of the saintliness of monarchs. But a lot of it is specific in a manner that doesn't simply serve rhetorical exaggeration, and it's clear that Einhard genuinely liked Charles as a person. It can be a bit jumbled in its construction for light reading (and the long list of wars that Charles won is not the most grabbing of openings), but it's one of the more fun biographies of the Middle Ages.
This was written about a decade after Charles's death, during the more problematic reign of his son Louis the Pious, so it's possible that a lot of this his heavily tinted by nostalgia that surpasses even the traditional medieval biographical exaggeration of the saintliness of monarchs. But a lot of it is specific in a manner that doesn't simply serve rhetorical exaggeration, and it's clear that Einhard genuinely liked Charles as a person. It can be a bit jumbled in its construction for light reading (and the long list of wars that Charles won is not the most grabbing of openings), but it's one of the more fun biographies of the Middle Ages.
October 25, 2024
I wish I could give this book 10 stars. The text itself is a wonderful medieval history written in the classical style and deserves 5 stars by itself. But reading this in the Folio Society edition was pure aesthetic enjoyment.
January 2, 2020
"Durante todo este tiempo estallaron en distintos lugares tantas y tan grandes guerras contra los francos, y el rey las dirigió con tal habilidad, que, pensándolo bien, uno no sabe realmente qué cabe admirar más en él, su capacidad de resistencia o su buena suerte."
Y continuando con el ciclo de Roldán y los carolingios me animé a comprar y leer este libro. Esta biografía fue escrita por Eginardo, alrededor de los años 830, durante el reinado del hijo de Carlomagno (habiendo ya muerto éste) Ludovico Pío (o el piadoso). Eginardo le debió a Carlomagno el ser instruido en sus famosas escuelas en las cuales recibió la mejor educación de aquella época. En agradecimiento y para no olvidar al hombre más grande y excelso como él lo describe. Estamos pues ante una obra de incalculable valor pues fue un contemporáneo que conoció y trató al emperador Carlomagno por lo que su relato aunque no exacto es probablemente bastante verídico.
Es una biografía concisa, clara y puntual de los hechos más importantes de Carlomagno. Empezando casi por todas las batallas y guerras en las cuales intervino como rey de los Francos contra los lombardos (italianos), sajones, eslavos, avaros (de los cuales conquistó un tesoro incalculable) e incluso algunos sarracenos. En realidad me sorprendió la cantidad de guerras victoriosas y la expansión del imperio. Aquí se habla del famoso episodio de Roncesvalles de la cual tomó parte Roldán, prefecto de la marca de Bretaña, que según todos los críticos es el famoso personaje del cantar de Roldán y de las obras posteriores que he tenido el gran gusto de leer. Así que me fue muy interesante conocer el origen de la leyenda y desde luego aspectos administrativos, políticos, religioso y algunos personales de Carlomagno.
Y continuando con el ciclo de Roldán y los carolingios me animé a comprar y leer este libro. Esta biografía fue escrita por Eginardo, alrededor de los años 830, durante el reinado del hijo de Carlomagno (habiendo ya muerto éste) Ludovico Pío (o el piadoso). Eginardo le debió a Carlomagno el ser instruido en sus famosas escuelas en las cuales recibió la mejor educación de aquella época. En agradecimiento y para no olvidar al hombre más grande y excelso como él lo describe. Estamos pues ante una obra de incalculable valor pues fue un contemporáneo que conoció y trató al emperador Carlomagno por lo que su relato aunque no exacto es probablemente bastante verídico.
Es una biografía concisa, clara y puntual de los hechos más importantes de Carlomagno. Empezando casi por todas las batallas y guerras en las cuales intervino como rey de los Francos contra los lombardos (italianos), sajones, eslavos, avaros (de los cuales conquistó un tesoro incalculable) e incluso algunos sarracenos. En realidad me sorprendió la cantidad de guerras victoriosas y la expansión del imperio. Aquí se habla del famoso episodio de Roncesvalles de la cual tomó parte Roldán, prefecto de la marca de Bretaña, que según todos los críticos es el famoso personaje del cantar de Roldán y de las obras posteriores que he tenido el gran gusto de leer. Así que me fue muy interesante conocer el origen de la leyenda y desde luego aspectos administrativos, políticos, religioso y algunos personales de Carlomagno.
May 23, 2019
Was für ein Lesegenuss. Die Vita Karoli Magna gibt einen spannenden und einzigartigen Einblick in das Leben Karls des Grossen. Obwohl das Werk viele Fehler enthält, ist es das wichtigste Dokument der karlischen Periode.
Für alle Geschicht- und Mittelalterinteressierte unter euch, kann ich das Buch sehr empfehlen.
Für alle Geschicht- und Mittelalterinteressierte unter euch, kann ich das Buch sehr empfehlen.
May 3, 2016
Ce livre est une édition critique bilingue très récente de la « Vie de Charlemagne », écrite en latin par Eginhard, un érudit franc ayant vécu à la fin du huitième et au début du neuvième siècle. Cette biographie m’a beaucoup plu : quelle différence avec la lamentable situation relatée par Grégoire de Tours dans son Histoire des Francs. Il semble que la situation s’améliore. On retrouve au début la description fameuse des « rois fainéants », les derniers des Mérovingiens qui se feront écarter du pouvoir par les ambitieux et actifs maires du palais dont sont issus les Carolingiens., et dont la description fera une si forte impression sur Louis XIV enfant qu’il fera tout pour ne pas leur ressembler, et prendre en main les affaires du pays.
C’est aussi avec plaisir que l’on voit notre Roland national (Hruodlandus Brittannici limitis praefectus) se faire attaquer après la campagne des marches d’Espagne, non pas par les Sarrazins comme le chante la chanson, mais par les Vascons. Si les rapports sont evidemment tendus avec les Maures, qui pratiquent dès cette époque la piraterie, à en croire Eginhard, les rapports sont plutôt bons avec les empires orientaux, en particulier Aaron (le calife Harun al Rachid des 1001 nuits). Ce dernier va jusqu’à lui offrir un éléphant comme gage de son estime et de ses bons sentiments.. Les Romains d’Orient tempèrent leur bons offices par une bonne dose de prudence, comme en témoigne cet amusant proverbe grec rapporté par l’auteur : Τὸν Φράνκον φίλον ἔχεις· γείτονα οὐκ ἔχεις. Ce qui signifie que si les Francs sont tes amis, c’est que tu ne les as pas pour voisins. C’est sûrement le sentiment des Saxons qui essuient un long et âpre conflit avec l’empereur.
Mais ce qui rend ce souverain sympathique, c’est son amour des sciences et des belles lettres, et l’encouragement qu’il donne à leur diffusion. Non content de fonder des écoles pour le profit des autres, il s’y adonne lui-même avec passion. La troisième République saura en faire une icône en le représentant comme reconnaissant la supériorité du mérite sur la naissance.
. Une belle lecture, sans doute un peu hagiographique, mais édifiante et plaisante en même temps.
C’est aussi avec plaisir que l’on voit notre Roland national (Hruodlandus Brittannici limitis praefectus) se faire attaquer après la campagne des marches d’Espagne, non pas par les Sarrazins comme le chante la chanson, mais par les Vascons. Si les rapports sont evidemment tendus avec les Maures, qui pratiquent dès cette époque la piraterie, à en croire Eginhard, les rapports sont plutôt bons avec les empires orientaux, en particulier Aaron (le calife Harun al Rachid des 1001 nuits). Ce dernier va jusqu’à lui offrir un éléphant comme gage de son estime et de ses bons sentiments.. Les Romains d’Orient tempèrent leur bons offices par une bonne dose de prudence, comme en témoigne cet amusant proverbe grec rapporté par l’auteur : Τὸν Φράνκον φίλον ἔχεις· γείτονα οὐκ ἔχεις. Ce qui signifie que si les Francs sont tes amis, c’est que tu ne les as pas pour voisins. C’est sûrement le sentiment des Saxons qui essuient un long et âpre conflit avec l’empereur.
Mais ce qui rend ce souverain sympathique, c’est son amour des sciences et des belles lettres, et l’encouragement qu’il donne à leur diffusion. Non content de fonder des écoles pour le profit des autres, il s’y adonne lui-même avec passion. La troisième République saura en faire une icône en le représentant comme reconnaissant la supériorité du mérite sur la naissance.
. Une belle lecture, sans doute un peu hagiographique, mais édifiante et plaisante en même temps.
June 20, 2022
I read an excerpt in The Medieval Reader that so interested me that I sought the full text. Of the ones I found, this was easy to read (well-translated for modern readers) and has over fifty elucidating footnotes. As a math teacher, I often get the "When I am going to use this?" question. My answer is generally around the "When you use your brain" type of response as I believe studying math makes for better thinking. In this recreational reading by an author also called Einhard I came across this observation of the famous Emperor of the Franks:
I think it is interesting that he learned to calculate motions of the planets without ever becoming truly literate we are told. (Footnotes here also doubt complete illiteracy.) Why would he even invest so much time as "with deep thought and skill most carefully calculated the courses of the planets"? I think he felt it improved his mind, if only to impress visitors to court with this acumen. (How else would we know? Did he show of his calculated orbits and periods with pride?)
It is interesting to see the apotheosis of this expansionist and politically astute rule who became a "Holy Roman Emperor" and nearly deified in retrospect even by Otto III who strongly aspired to be the successor of Charlemagne. In 1000, he visited Charlemagne's tomb in Aachen, removing relics from it and basically worshipping the corpse, as detailed in the final footnote here.
He was ready and fluent in speaking, and able to express himself with great clearness. He did not confine himself to his native tongue, but took pains to learn foreign languages, acquiring such knowledge of Latin that he could make an address in that language as well as in his own. Greek he could better understand than speak. Indeed, he was so polished in speech that he might have passed for a learned man.
He was an ardent admirer of the liberal arts, and greatly revered their professors, whom he promoted to high honors. In order to learn grammar, he attended the lectures of the aged Peter of Pisa, a deacon; and for other branches he chose as his preceptor Albinus, otherwise called Alcuin, also a deacon, - a Saxon by race, from Britain, the most learned man of the day, with whom the king spent much time in leaving rhetoric and logic, and more especially astronomy. He learned the art of determining the dates upon which the movable festivals of the Church fall, and with deep thought and skill most carefully calculated the courses of the planets. Charles also tried to learn to write, and used to keep his tablets and writing book under the pillow of his couch, that when he had leisure he might practice his hand in forming letters; but he made little progress in this task, too long deferred and begun too late in life.
I think it is interesting that he learned to calculate motions of the planets without ever becoming truly literate we are told. (Footnotes here also doubt complete illiteracy.) Why would he even invest so much time as "with deep thought and skill most carefully calculated the courses of the planets"? I think he felt it improved his mind, if only to impress visitors to court with this acumen. (How else would we know? Did he show of his calculated orbits and periods with pride?)
It is interesting to see the apotheosis of this expansionist and politically astute rule who became a "Holy Roman Emperor" and nearly deified in retrospect even by Otto III who strongly aspired to be the successor of Charlemagne. In 1000, he visited Charlemagne's tomb in Aachen, removing relics from it and basically worshipping the corpse, as detailed in the final footnote here.
February 20, 2021
einhard was a fucking simp for karl
March 19, 2014
Not quite the vivid and personal detail of the backcover blurb, still, Einhard was writing centuries ago. He did have the model of the ancient Greeks and he didn't quite hit their standard, but different times call for different measures. He writes:
I love how in every time period there have been those who have despised everything modern.
The first half is a listing of wars and conquests, best read with an ancient map or very quickly. The second section on his personal life does capture odd and interesting details though. The most intersting of all to me was this:
That got a huge eyebrow raise, huge! I liked how he ate roasts directly from the spit though, often while listening to St Augustine's City of God. How he hated fasting. His attempts to learn to write that failed because he came to it so late. His study of literature and the scholars he supported. And wow, the impressive lists of omens appearing before he died. Lightening and thunder and buildings falling into ruin and oh my.
We're lucky that some of these marvelous old manuscripts have survived.
I have been careful not to omit any facts that could come to my knowledge, but at the same time not to offend by a prolix style those minds that despise everything modern...
I love how in every time period there have been those who have despised everything modern.
The first half is a listing of wars and conquests, best read with an ancient map or very quickly. The second section on his personal life does capture odd and interesting details though. The most intersting of all to me was this:
He was so careful of the training of his sons and daugters that he never took his meals without them when he was at home, and never made a journey without them; his sons would ride at his side, and his daughters follow him, while a number of his bodyguard...brought up the rear. Strange to say, although they were very handsome women, and he loved them very deraly, he was never willing to marry any of them to a man of their own nation or to a foreigner, but kepy them all at home until his death, saying that he could not dispense with their society. Hence, although otherwise happy, he experienced the malignity of fortune as far as they were concerned; yet he conceiled his knowledge of the rumors current in regard to them, and of the suspicions entertained of their honor. (48)
That got a huge eyebrow raise, huge! I liked how he ate roasts directly from the spit though, often while listening to St Augustine's City of God. How he hated fasting. His attempts to learn to write that failed because he came to it so late. His study of literature and the scholars he supported. And wow, the impressive lists of omens appearing before he died. Lightening and thunder and buildings falling into ruin and oh my.
We're lucky that some of these marvelous old manuscripts have survived.
March 3, 2016
I am a bit of a history buff (RE: nut) and thoroughly enjoyed this short, well, biography I suppose. The best part of this text is the insight into the life and times of Charlemagne from the most contemporary of sources: a man within Charlemagne’s inner circle. Einhard also lays this book out in a most wonderful format - chronologically. If you’ve read any other contemporary texts, from this period or before, you will know that chronological writing seems to be something of a recent development. Before someone gets all haughty with me, yes there are evident exceptions that readily come to mind, such as Caesar and his Gallic Wars. (Sticking to the facts is also somewhat recent, and Caesar’s Gallic Wars certainly does not stick to the absolute truth). Of course, this whole chronological thing could be a mere figment of my imagination. Probably is, the more I think of it. Maybe I had scattered high school history teachers and college professors. Oh well, moving on.
This edition shines when you read the text slowly in conjunction with the index. You get to start correlating events to the text, which is always nice. One of the most fascinating things to notice is on page 34 where Einhard makes mention of Rolande’s death. It is not much more than a passing thought, but when you reference the index, you find out that this is the ONLY mention of Roland of Brittany anywhere in the historical record. ANYWHERE. I find this fascinating for a person who is steeped in legend. (For those not in the know, Roland of Brittany is the same Roland from “The Song of Roland.” You may also see his name spelled Rolande or some other way. Same guy).
Einhard is also surpassingly honest in his description of Charlemagne’s physical appearance. I find this delightful. Apparently, the good Emperor liked to eat, and scoffed when his doctors told him to start eating boiled meat all the time.
For you history buffs, this is a quick read that will offer immeasurable insight into the life of one of the greatest Western European rulers in history.
For more reviews visit my wife's blog (to which I contribute because, well, she's my wife) at http://musingsofaliteraturelover.blog...
This edition shines when you read the text slowly in conjunction with the index. You get to start correlating events to the text, which is always nice. One of the most fascinating things to notice is on page 34 where Einhard makes mention of Rolande’s death. It is not much more than a passing thought, but when you reference the index, you find out that this is the ONLY mention of Roland of Brittany anywhere in the historical record. ANYWHERE. I find this fascinating for a person who is steeped in legend. (For those not in the know, Roland of Brittany is the same Roland from “The Song of Roland.” You may also see his name spelled Rolande or some other way. Same guy).
Einhard is also surpassingly honest in his description of Charlemagne’s physical appearance. I find this delightful. Apparently, the good Emperor liked to eat, and scoffed when his doctors told him to start eating boiled meat all the time.
For you history buffs, this is a quick read that will offer immeasurable insight into the life of one of the greatest Western European rulers in history.
For more reviews visit my wife's blog (to which I contribute because, well, she's my wife) at http://musingsofaliteraturelover.blog...
did-not-finish
April 16, 2018I was supposed to read this for school, but history is not my forte, and I only managed to get halfway through. Luckily, I was able to finish the assignment with the first half of the book (and Sparknotes :P).
For history lovers, this would be an unforgettable read. Einhard gives a notable account of Charlemagne's life, through his eyes. To me, it's awesome to see that Einhard went against the grain (back then, literature wasn't really of much importance or value) and wrote a biography.
It's interesting, albeit hard to follow for me (again, not much of a history buff), but I can see it being of interest for people who enjoy history.
For history lovers, this would be an unforgettable read. Einhard gives a notable account of Charlemagne's life, through his eyes. To me, it's awesome to see that Einhard went against the grain (back then, literature wasn't really of much importance or value) and wrote a biography.
It's interesting, albeit hard to follow for me (again, not much of a history buff), but I can see it being of interest for people who enjoy history.
February 1, 2013
Looking for a bedtime book, I found this little thing tucked away amongst the biographies in the hallway--just the right length for the purpose. It's old and was probably picked up simply because it's the translation of a primary source.
As it happens, it is the primary source for the life of Charles the Great, putative first king of France. Other sources, such as that of the one called "The Stammerer", are either later or written by ones more distant from the man and the events described. Parenthetically, this is also the only historical source referring to Roland of the "Song of"--and that being the barest of mentions.
Copying classical Latin paradigms of biography, Einhard devotes about half of the work to the acts of Charles, those being mostly wars and the like, and half to his personal life and characteristics. Having read a lot about the Carolingian period, I was impressed, and somewhat dismayed, by how much of such modern material is based upon this one slender source.
Overall, Einhard is very sympathetic to his king. Despite being in orders, Einhard has no moral qualms about all the killing, impressment and hostage taking of his monarch. In his view pretty much everything was justifiable, even exemplary. The wars get pretty boring, their profusion and the author's habit of jumping about from event to event being somewhat mitigated by notes giving the dates inserted by the editor in the margins. The personal data, however, is interesting. Again, even though a cleric, Einhard has no moral problems with Charles' many marriages and his practice of concubinage. One wonders how Christianity, now pretty well textually established, got so, ah, "liberal" in the early middle ages as to allow such a hagiography of someone who was basically a warrior--so, too, one wonders how we moderns can so confidently read scripture and come out of it confident about our mental pictures of a Jesus "meek and mild" preaching pacifistic communism.
Finally, it is notable that Einhard inserts himself in his text, primarily in his preface, in order to note the authority of his testimony and the limitations of his knowledge.
As it happens, it is the primary source for the life of Charles the Great, putative first king of France. Other sources, such as that of the one called "The Stammerer", are either later or written by ones more distant from the man and the events described. Parenthetically, this is also the only historical source referring to Roland of the "Song of"--and that being the barest of mentions.
Copying classical Latin paradigms of biography, Einhard devotes about half of the work to the acts of Charles, those being mostly wars and the like, and half to his personal life and characteristics. Having read a lot about the Carolingian period, I was impressed, and somewhat dismayed, by how much of such modern material is based upon this one slender source.
Overall, Einhard is very sympathetic to his king. Despite being in orders, Einhard has no moral qualms about all the killing, impressment and hostage taking of his monarch. In his view pretty much everything was justifiable, even exemplary. The wars get pretty boring, their profusion and the author's habit of jumping about from event to event being somewhat mitigated by notes giving the dates inserted by the editor in the margins. The personal data, however, is interesting. Again, even though a cleric, Einhard has no moral problems with Charles' many marriages and his practice of concubinage. One wonders how Christianity, now pretty well textually established, got so, ah, "liberal" in the early middle ages as to allow such a hagiography of someone who was basically a warrior--so, too, one wonders how we moderns can so confidently read scripture and come out of it confident about our mental pictures of a Jesus "meek and mild" preaching pacifistic communism.
Finally, it is notable that Einhard inserts himself in his text, primarily in his preface, in order to note the authority of his testimony and the limitations of his knowledge.
Read
May 5, 2025CharleMaxxing rn
January 22, 2020
Une hagiographie de Charlemagne, sur le modèle « des douze vies de César » de Suetone, rédigée au IXe siècle par un écrivain de la cour de l'empereur et complétée par des lettres témoignant de la vie sous le règne des premiers Carolingiens. On peut lire.
June 27, 2024
Einhard’s account is actually quite short and sweet. A little too short maybe, but he gets down everything he feels needs to be explained to understand the greatness of this Charlemagne. It would have been nice to hear of Charlemagne’s early years, but I appreciate Einhard for not speculating on something he has no knowledge. The book is, of course, most likely biased but you can feel the compassion Einhard has for the king.
January 25, 2019
This small volume,written in the 9th century by a member of Charlemagne's court, provides a glimpse of the leader's life. While it lacks the sophistication of modern biographies, its importance lies in revealing how his inner circle viewed him. I found the map of "Europe According to Einhard" fascinating.
May 4, 2025
This is not the edition I read. it's the only one Goodreads had. Einhard gives a very factual no-nonsense account of Charlemagne's life. It is very different from modern biographies. Einhard simply states what happens without any elaboration on why. It is a short book and easy read.
October 4, 2025
Einhards Vita Karoli Magni ist das erste Buch, welches ich vollständig auf Latein gelesen habe. Wir mussten es für unseren lateinischen Grammatikkurs vom Deutschen ins Lateinische rückübersetzen, weswegen es vorteilhaft war, dass ich die korrekten lateinischen Sätze bereits kannte.
Nach dem Vorbild Sueton, welcher die Kaiserviten im 2 Jh. n. verfasste, bringt uns Einhard alle Facetten von Karls des Großen Lebens näher: von seiner Bildung, über seine Familie, bis hin zu seinen Essgewohnheiten ist alles dabei. (Die Einteilung der Themengebiete ist meiner Meinung nach besonders gut gewählt.)
Obwohl Karl zum Entstehungszeitpunkt der Vita bereits mehrere Jahre tot ist, verliert Einhard kein einziges schlechtes Wort über seinen Kaiser und persönlichen Freund; ein mögliches Fehlverhalten von Karl dem Großen in einigen Situationen kommentiert sein Biograph nicht bzw. übergeht er sie völlig.
Die Vita Karoli Magni sollte in den folgenden Jahrhunderten eine ähnlich starke Vorbildwirkung haben, wie es Sueton in der Antike hatte, und wirkt bis heute nach.
—> 4 stars
Nach dem Vorbild Sueton, welcher die Kaiserviten im 2 Jh. n. verfasste, bringt uns Einhard alle Facetten von Karls des Großen Lebens näher: von seiner Bildung, über seine Familie, bis hin zu seinen Essgewohnheiten ist alles dabei. (Die Einteilung der Themengebiete ist meiner Meinung nach besonders gut gewählt.)
Obwohl Karl zum Entstehungszeitpunkt der Vita bereits mehrere Jahre tot ist, verliert Einhard kein einziges schlechtes Wort über seinen Kaiser und persönlichen Freund; ein mögliches Fehlverhalten von Karl dem Großen in einigen Situationen kommentiert sein Biograph nicht bzw. übergeht er sie völlig.
Die Vita Karoli Magni sollte in den folgenden Jahrhunderten eine ähnlich starke Vorbildwirkung haben, wie es Sueton in der Antike hatte, und wirkt bis heute nach.
—> 4 stars
April 29, 2019
A classic medieval biography which has greatly contributed to the remembrance of Charlemagne. Einhard describes the battles the great ruler fought, how he spent his days, the way he looked, behaved, raised his children and what he enjoyed most. While Einhard’s Latin can be considered to be very good at the time of publishing (ca. 817-833) he most likely compares his use of the language to the great roman authors and playwrights, which he evidently sourced inspiration from. It must be noted, that Einhard, whom lived at Charles’ Court and continued to reside there under Louis the Pious, was commissioned by Charlemagne’s successor to write the biography, which - as seen in the index - decreases the accuracy of the information presented, as the nostalgic and worshiping nature of the work, distorts many of the facts, particularly surrounding battles. Although this Hagiography must be carefully dissected as a historical source, it does provide some valuable insight into the life of Charlemagne.
December 4, 2015
"He therefore came to Rome to restore the condition of the church, which was terribly disturbed, and spent the whole of the winter there. It was then that he received the title of Emperor and Augustus, which he so disliked at first that he affirmed that he would not have entered the church on that day — though it was the chief festival of the church — if he could have foreseen the design of the Pope. But when he had taken the title he bore very quietly the hostility that it caused and the indignation of the Roman emperors. He conquered their ill-feeling by his magnanimity, in which, doubtless, he far excelled them, and sent frequent embassies to them, and called them his brothers."
May 24, 2018
An interesting short life of Charlemagne written almost in his time. I did audio and it was not too bad, but some of the words were not clear to me so I may have lost a little in aural translation.
It would be interesting to compare the TWO LIVES and perhaps I will do just that soon.
I have a memory of being in France on a school trip and a classmate giving a report on reading this. That memory only goes so far as it being on Charlemagne, so perhaps this brought me up to speed some twenty years later.
It would be interesting to compare the TWO LIVES and perhaps I will do just that soon.
I have a memory of being in France on a school trip and a classmate giving a report on reading this. That memory only goes so far as it being on Charlemagne, so perhaps this brought me up to speed some twenty years later.
April 12, 2022
La vida de Carlomagno es una pequeña joya, es maravillosa, simple y entretenida. Gracias a están obra conocemos información sobre la personalidad de Carlomagno como que le gustaba nadar o quería aprender a escribir (aunque le costaba).
El biógrafo, Eginardo es un laico encargado del gobierno de una abadía. Probablemente escribió esta obra unos años después de la muerte de Carlomagno. Inspirado por la añoranza de un tiempo pasado más dulce frente a la terrible inestabilidad política del momento por el gobierno de los hijos del difunto rey.
El biógrafo, Eginardo es un laico encargado del gobierno de una abadía. Probablemente escribió esta obra unos años después de la muerte de Carlomagno. Inspirado por la añoranza de un tiempo pasado más dulce frente a la terrible inestabilidad política del momento por el gobierno de los hijos del difunto rey.
March 6, 2018
Basic overview of Charlemagne’s life. Short and concise. Short enough I may reread it now to catch what I missed.
February 13, 2019
Einhard's biography of Charlemagne. Some interesting tidbits, and worth reading if for no other reason than that it is one of the great pieces of the Western canon.
May 26, 2025
Libello estremamente interessante su una delle figure più affascinanti del Medioevo, scritto da un suo sodale e amico (l'affetto si percepisce). Ci viene presentato un Carlo liberale, generoso, costante, paziente e magnanimo, ma ci sono anche notizie più intime e private, con alcune punte d'ironia alla svetoniana maniera. Bellissimo il ritratto di Carlo (capp. 22-25), e molto ricca ed esaustiva l'introduzione al testo.
September 26, 2024
every page had gems about charlemagne with no misses. it’s only competition is the admonitio generalis in terms of utility. my whole european history exam had references to what einhard wrote in here, what a guy. the biggest carolingian cheerleader fr
Read
November 10, 2024Volgens Einhard was Karel heel veel met oorlogsvoering bezig, wat erop neerkwam dat hij ergens met zijn grote leger verscheen en de vijand zich overgaf. Verder is het leuk te lezen dat Karel blijkbaar heel veel van gebraden vlees hield. Met alcohol ging hij zó gematigd om dat hij meestal 'maar' drie bekers wijn bij het eten dronk. Einhard schrijft verzorgd Latijn, leuk om te lezen.
October 1, 2024
A real beach read!
August 9, 2020
A short read.
Disregarding historical value and only viewed as a reading experience: A good read!
Einhard himself explains that although he could have written a whole lot more about Charlemagne's various wars and military campaigns, that is not what he is setting out to do - he wants to write about Charlemagne the man. So that is what he does. The historical events - mostly wars - are only briefly described. Then Einhard makes Charlemagne come to life. What he liked to eat (roast meat), how he looked (his stomach was slightly too big), which books he liked (stories of olden times, and Augustines 'City of God'), how he dressed and how he enjoyed swimming and bathing. I don't think many 9th century people are described at this level of detail.
I have no idea how Einhard's original Latin is, but Turner's translation flows well and is easily read - not the stilted and archaic English one finds in some 19th century English translators.
Recommended!
Disregarding historical value and only viewed as a reading experience: A good read!
Einhard himself explains that although he could have written a whole lot more about Charlemagne's various wars and military campaigns, that is not what he is setting out to do - he wants to write about Charlemagne the man. So that is what he does. The historical events - mostly wars - are only briefly described. Then Einhard makes Charlemagne come to life. What he liked to eat (roast meat), how he looked (his stomach was slightly too big), which books he liked (stories of olden times, and Augustines 'City of God'), how he dressed and how he enjoyed swimming and bathing. I don't think many 9th century people are described at this level of detail.
I have no idea how Einhard's original Latin is, but Turner's translation flows well and is easily read - not the stilted and archaic English one finds in some 19th century English translators.
Recommended!
May 14, 2013
Just finished “The life of Charlemagne” written by Einhard, who was alive and know Charlemagne (died 814) personally. I read it in an English translation by Lewis Thorpe. It was a significant read for me because my family trace their heritage back on my mother’s side with some probability back to him, and through him back to Pepin the short, who died in 768CE. The link for me was a tangible inspiration as I had read about the Carolingian Renaissance, through which many Roman texts were copied and made their way to the Florentine Renaissance. But upon reading it, I found his interest in Roman texts was under the influence of Augustine of Hippo, and he led oppressive military campaigns that seeded that later blossomed into the morally problematic crusades and the cultural decimation of the Norse peoples, most notably forcibly Christianizing the Saxons. The secular and proto-scientific writings of Lucretius would have likely been spurious and the great fortunes of their copying not directly intentional. Supporting this analysis is the fact that in his will, Charlemagne devalued his library so much that he had the books sold off to whomever would buy the books, though nobly he indicated that the money should be given to the poor.
In addition, he supported Pope Leo III who was so unsupported in his own city that it was the guards stationed there by Charlemagne that rescued him from having his tongue pulled out and his eyes poked out because of accusations of adultery and perjury. In a state of total reliance on Charlemagne for his safety, Leo crowned Charlemagne Emperor and August, despite the fact that these titles were held in relatively firm succession by the rulers of Constantinople at that time. Despite the weakened economic and military states of the old eastern and western portions of old Rome, the connection had lingered on. But Charlemagne was the one who forcibly removed that by demanding insertions of creed into Christian dogma. Like so many kings before him, he enforced his own metaphysics under the force of the sword and left a significant impact on Christian dogma today that may folks think were “divinely inspired.”
I’ve traveled through Aachen more than once, haunting the halls of his cathedral. It is a magnificent structure, especially for it’s time and the great watershed it let loose. Yet the Roman tradition it revered in was one of Platonic conjectures in support of a consolidated mythology of ideological brutality. While Charlemagne conversed with many lands to keep good relations to support Christians living as minorities around the world he knew, his ideology was driven by Augustine (died 430CE) who tightly linked the doctrines of Christianity back to the militarily enforced dogma and politically driven metaphysics weaponized at Nicaea by Constantine.
All in all, the book brought some clarity and corrections to my understanding of Charlemagne and the impacts of Christian expansion. It was well worth the read from a first-hand observer, even though Einhard did copy Roman style by inserting miracles, in the same way that Mathew, Mark, Luke and John had for the object of their stories.
In addition, he supported Pope Leo III who was so unsupported in his own city that it was the guards stationed there by Charlemagne that rescued him from having his tongue pulled out and his eyes poked out because of accusations of adultery and perjury. In a state of total reliance on Charlemagne for his safety, Leo crowned Charlemagne Emperor and August, despite the fact that these titles were held in relatively firm succession by the rulers of Constantinople at that time. Despite the weakened economic and military states of the old eastern and western portions of old Rome, the connection had lingered on. But Charlemagne was the one who forcibly removed that by demanding insertions of creed into Christian dogma. Like so many kings before him, he enforced his own metaphysics under the force of the sword and left a significant impact on Christian dogma today that may folks think were “divinely inspired.”
I’ve traveled through Aachen more than once, haunting the halls of his cathedral. It is a magnificent structure, especially for it’s time and the great watershed it let loose. Yet the Roman tradition it revered in was one of Platonic conjectures in support of a consolidated mythology of ideological brutality. While Charlemagne conversed with many lands to keep good relations to support Christians living as minorities around the world he knew, his ideology was driven by Augustine (died 430CE) who tightly linked the doctrines of Christianity back to the militarily enforced dogma and politically driven metaphysics weaponized at Nicaea by Constantine.
All in all, the book brought some clarity and corrections to my understanding of Charlemagne and the impacts of Christian expansion. It was well worth the read from a first-hand observer, even though Einhard did copy Roman style by inserting miracles, in the same way that Mathew, Mark, Luke and John had for the object of their stories.
November 20, 2016
The author of this biography, one of the first written after the fall of the Roman Empire, was a member of the royal court of Charlemagne. Therefore, there is nothing in the way of criticism of the man Einhard considered a great king and emperor.
The book is a very short compilation of Charlemagne’s achievements as the ruler of the Franks, most of the content is a series of brief descriptions of the almost constant warfare during his reign. Written of course from the perspective of the victor and someone that is emphasizing the benevolence and wisdom of his king.
There is a foreword written by Sidney Painter that puts the writings of Einhard into the proper context. Painter does an excellent job in explaining the position of Einhard and how it was one of the earliest biographies to appear after the fall of Rome.
While there is no depth to this book, the context makes it a book of great historical interest and well worth reading.
The book is a very short compilation of Charlemagne’s achievements as the ruler of the Franks, most of the content is a series of brief descriptions of the almost constant warfare during his reign. Written of course from the perspective of the victor and someone that is emphasizing the benevolence and wisdom of his king.
There is a foreword written by Sidney Painter that puts the writings of Einhard into the proper context. Painter does an excellent job in explaining the position of Einhard and how it was one of the earliest biographies to appear after the fall of Rome.
While there is no depth to this book, the context makes it a book of great historical interest and well worth reading.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 132 reviews