768- 814 CE - Charles the Great or Charlemagne was a charismatic and powerful ruler of the Frankish peoples. He was said to be very intelligent, aggressive, capable on the battlefield, and an exceptional statesman. Charlemagne undertook fifty-four military campaigns with the small Frankish army, about 8,000 men. Charlemagne's aggressive …

751- 768 CE - Pepin was the son of Charles Martel in Austrasia. Pepin was crowned king and anointed with holy oil by a representative of the Pope. The Frankish kings were anointed symbolizing the relationship of their king with God. Pepin's son Charlemagne succeeded him to the throne.

570- 632 CE - Muhammad was an orphan born in Mecca who became the principal prophet of the religion of Islam. Muhammad was a caravan manager as an adult and came into money when he married his employer, a rich widow. Muhammad began to experience visions in his middle age and …

527- 565 CE - Justinian became emperor of the Byzantine Empire in 527 CE because he was nephew and heir to the previous emperor. Justinian married the daughter of a lower class circus trainer named Theodora. Justinian believed he could reestablish the Roman empire throughout the Mediterranean. Justinian's army was lead …

590- 604 CE - Gregory the Great became pope and gained control of Rome around the seventh century CE. Gregory organized Rome and its surrounding territories into a system of government known as the Papal States. Gregory probably established control in Rome to prevent further damage from the Lombards who had …

482- 511 CE - Clovis was the leader of a Frankish tribe who eventually unified and ruled all Franks. Clovis converted from paganism to become a Catholic Christian around 500 CE.

This conversion helped him gain papal support, as well as leading to the eventual conversion of most of the Frankish …