The Empire that was always Decaying: The Carolingians (800-888)
Michiel de Jong
This paper examines the potency of concept &#x203a;empire&#x2039; in Carolingian history, arguing against still recent trend medieval studies seeing empire as having been a constant state decay. An initial historiographical overview medievalist&#x2019;s perceptions over past century is followed by discussion how authors themselves constructed, perceived and were influenced notions &#x203a;empire&#x2039;. Biblical scholars like Hraban Maur initiated an authoritative discourse on imperium, which turn, after 840s, heavily later authors, perhaps most interestingly Paschasius Radbertus his Epitaphium Arsenii. While writings these who looked back at Louis&#x2019;s reign have often interpreted revealing decline imperial ideals, they must rather be seen testifying to long-lasting concern for universal empire.
Medieval Worlds|Data Archiving and Networked Services (DANS)