Charlemagne, Carolus Magnus, Charles the Great, King of the Franks and Emperor of the European West, was born in 742, and became an undisputed leader and one of the great centers of power in history, the Holy Roman Empire.
Charlemagne's empire was founded on the fighting stronghold of the Franks, a confederation of fierce barbarian tribes from the Rhine fields of Germany, and filling the void left by the fall of ancient Rome. His broad ambition, often augmented by the claim to spread Christianity, included France, Germany, Italy, and many other territories.
An aggressive conqueror, shrewd politician, and statesman, and a very successful General, Charlemagne set the scene for his vast empire that, in different ways, has reached the 20th century.