Directory

774 CE

Charlemagne conquered the Lombard Kingdom in northern Italy, dramatically expanding Frankish power and deepening the alliance between the Carolingian dynasty and the papacy.

Conflict & Diplomacy

  • Charlemagne invaded the Lombard Kingdom in response to Lombard threats against the papacy, besieging the Lombard capital of Pavia for months before King Desiderius surrendered. Charlemagne assumed the title King of the Lombards, uniting the Frankish and Lombard crowns.
  • The conquest of the Lombard Kingdom gave Charlemagne control over most of the Italian peninsula north of Rome and reinforced the Carolingian role as protector of the papacy.

Climate & Environment

  • Atmospheric carbon dioxide concentration was approximately 276 parts per million, as later confirmed by ice core analysis.

Population & Demographics

  • World population is estimated to have been approximately 250 million.