Karolus Magnus et Leo Papa

Latin epic

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June 30, 2026

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Karolus Magnus et Leo Papa is an epic poem from the Carolingian Renaissance, a period of renewed literary activity in the 8th and 9th centuries. This Latin epic, though only the third book survives, recounts the deeds of Charlemagne and his relationship with Pope Leo III.1

The poem's context is Charlemagne's coronation as emperor by Pope Leo III on Christmas Day in 800 CE. This event, orchestrated by the papacy, aimed to restore the Roman Empire in the West and solidify the Pope's authority. The coronation, however, led to a complex relationship between the papacy and the new Western empire, creating a rivalry with the Byzantine Empire that persisted for centuries. The poem reflects the ideological shifts and political maneuvering of the era, highlighting Charlemagne's role as a protector of Christendom and the evolving power dynamics between secular and religious leaders.2345

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Latin literature
The Carolingian renaissance
…but known by the title Karolus Magnus et Leo Papa (“Charlemagne and Pope Leo”). Its example was followed in the next generation by Ermoldus Nigellus, writing about the deeds of Louis the Pious, and the tradition of earlier Carolingian authors is extended by two major political poets, Walafrid Strabo and…
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…but known by the title Karolus Magnus et Leo Papa (“Charlemagne and Pope Leo”). Its example was followed in the next generation by Ermoldus Nigellus, writing about the deeds of Louis the Pious, and the tradition of earlier Carolingian authors is extended by two major political poets, Walafrid Strabo and…
Read More