Charlemagne

From the very beginning times of Christianity, its message has identified with and transformed communities of people. Christianity itself grew out of a people group who had an identity that stretches back in time thousands of years. The worship of Yahweh, geographically born in ancient Mesopotamia (modern day Iraq) has spread through history to the farthest islands of the seas. Born into the people of Israel, Jesus gathered a small group of followers living and …

…military campaigns designed to expand his empire. For more than 30 years, Charlemagne waged a bitter war against the Saxons, finally forcing their conversion to Christianity; this campaign included the mass execution of 4,500 Saxons on a single day. Although Charlemagne ultimately controlled practically all Christian lands of Western Europe, his empire quickly crumbled following his death in 814. The cultural revival sparked by Charlemagne nonetheless had a permanent influence on Europe and overshadowed his ruthless military measures.