Carolingian Empire: Map & History
The Kingdom of the Franks, also known as the Frankish Kingdom or Francia, was the largest post-Roman kingdom in Western Europe.
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Historiographical synthesis & structured realm registry
The Kingdom of the Franks, also known as the Frankish Kingdom or Francia, was the largest post-Roman kingdom in Western Europe. It was established by the Franks, one of the Germanic peoples. Its founder was King Clovis I who united Frankish tribes and expanded the Frankish realm into Roman Gaul. During the Early Middle Ages, the kingdom was ruled by the Merovingian and Carolingian dynasties. In 800, it evolved into the Carolingian Empire, thus becoming the longest lasting Germanic kingdom from the era of Great Migrations.
Modern Countries Once Part of Carolingian Empire
At its mapped extent, Carolingian Empire covered territory in 16 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Switzerland718–935 CE · nearly all
- Netherlands718–925 CE · nearly all
- Belgium718–989 CE · nearly all
- Austria788–910 CE · nearly all
- Luxembourg718–925 CE · nearly all
- Slovenia788–910 CE · nearly all
- Andorra763–869 CE · nearly all
- Liechtenstein718–910 CE · nearly all
- San Marino775–935 CE · nearly all
- France718–989 CE · most
- Germany718–925 CE · most
- Hungary793–899 CE · most
- Italy775–935 CE · a large part
- Croatia793–910 CE · a large part
- Serbia793–799 CE · a large part
- Spain732–749 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Carolingian Empire's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Carolingian Empire in Depth
Culture
The different Frankish tribes—such as the Salians, Ripuarii, and Chamavi—had different legal traditions which were only later codified, largely under Charlemagne. The Leges Salica, Ribuaria, and Chamavorum were Carolingian creations, their basis in earlier Frankish reality being difficult for scholars to discern at the present distance. Under Charlemagne codifications were also made of the Saxon law and the Frisian law.
It was also under Frankish hegemony that the other Germanic societies east of the Rhine began to codify their tribal law, in such compilations as the Lex Alamannorum and Lex Baiuvariorum for the Alemanni and Bavarii respectively. Throughout the Frankish kingdoms there continued to be Gallo-Romans subject to Roman law and clergy subject to canon law.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Francia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Carolingian Empire: Key Facts
| Capitals | Tournai, Paris, Aachen |
|---|---|
| Official language | Frankish |
| Religion | Catholic Church |
| Form of government | early feudal monarchy |
| Currency | French denier |
| Founded | 481 CE |
| Dissolved | 843 CE |
Preceded by
- Germania Secunda
- Western Roman Empire
- Frisian Kingdom
- Gaul
Succeeded by
- Middle Francia
- East Francia
- West Francia
Facts from Wikidata Q146246 (CC0).
Carolingian Empire Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Carolingian Empire appears, with the other states of the time.
Carolingian Empire Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 1,317,417 km² in 810 CE.
Carolingian Empire: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Carolingian Empire exist?
The Carolingian Empire is dated to 718 CE – 989 CE, in the Early Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of the Carolingian Empire?
The capital of the Carolingian Empire was Aachen.
How large was the Carolingian Empire at its peak?
At its peak in 810 AD the Carolingian Empire covered about 1,317,417 km².
How did the map of the Carolingian Empire change over time?
The Carolingian Empire appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 750 CE to 900 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
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