Merovingian 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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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 Merovingian Empire
At its mapped extent, Merovingian Empire covered territory in 8 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
- Belgium462–717 CE · nearly all
- Luxembourg462–717 CE · nearly all
- Liechtenstein534–643 CE · nearly all
- Switzerland500–717 CE · nearly all
- Netherlands490–717 CE · most
- France490–717 CE · most
- Germany462–717 CE · a large part
- Spain602–611 CE · a small part
States and Provinces
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Merovingian 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.
Merovingian 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).
Merovingian 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).
Merovingian Empire Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Merovingian Empire appears, with the other states of the time.
Merovingian Empire Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 733,000 km² in 550 CE.
Merovingian Empire: Frequently Asked Questions
When did the Merovingian Empire exist?
The Merovingian Empire is dated to 462 CE – 717 CE, in the Classical Antiquity era.
What was the capital of the Merovingian Empire?
The capital of the Merovingian Empire was Paris.
How large was the Merovingian Empire at its peak?
At its peak in 550 AD the Merovingian Empire covered about 733,000 km².
How did the map of the Merovingian Empire change over time?
The Merovingian Empire appears on 2 dated world maps in the atlas, from 500 CE to 600 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.