Mediterranean Commonwealth - Essay Example

The Roman Empire began to weaken a sit was invaded from the north by the barbarians. Spain, Italy, and Suevi were invaded by the Vandals, the Quadi, and the Franks respectively. Their idea was not to destroy the civilization but to enjoy the mild climate and rich oil. The Germanic invasions did not take away the traditions of the ancient civilization of Europe though the balance of power was disrupted and the provinces began to be occupied by the Germans. The change actually occurred when the Moslems invaded the empire.

The Prophet replaced the Christian Faith, Moslem law, and the Arab tongue also came in practice. The Mediterranean Sea or the Roman Lake now turned into the Moslem Lake. The rest of Europe was cut out from the Mediterranean region. (Pirenne, 25)3) Einhard was a barbarian writer who resided at the court of King Charles I or Charlemagne, the King of the Franks. He wrote many compositions on the King’s life and works. He praises the King in his works and shared a close bonding with him and his children.

Einhard writes loosely about the King including his ways of living, his treatment of his children and family, and his appearance, which marked a strong presence. He was moderate in eating and drinking. He planned the education of his children well and made good judgments. It is through the documents of Einhard that we come to get a properly detailed account of King Charles’ life. He uses whatever scanty knowledge he possesses about language and narrates the achievements of the Great King Charlemagne.

(Pirenne, 38-42)4) Einhard considered King Charles or Charlemagne a great man mainly because of the immense care he received from him. Richard has received love and friendship from him and his children. He considers it to be an ungrateful act if he does not provide an account of King Charlemagne’s life. Richard was extremely indebted to him both in his life and his death. After Charles’ father died he had to share the throne with his brother and borne his jealousy quite calmly. He always kept his cool, took fair decisions, and made a praiseworthy judgment.

He made flawless plans to expand his kingdom and subdue foreign countries but apart from that he also built some wonderful pieces of architecture. These virtues make him a complete man and this is why EInhard calls him great. (Pirenne, 38-39)