Emperor of the world: Charlemagne and the construction of imperial authority, 800-1229

Charlemagne never traveled farther east than Italy, but by the mid-tenth century a story had begun to circulate about the friendly alliances that the emperor had forged while visiting Jerusalem and Constantinople.

The story gained wide currency throughout the Middle Ages.

This book traces the history of this myth. The legend incorporates apocalyptic themes such as the succession of world monarchies at the End of Days and the prophecy of the Last Roman Emperor.