A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca
A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca A source-book of ancient history - The Search For Mecca
^liances. Eginhard, Karl the Great, i6. Relations with Persia. The eastern emperor. 578 The Prankish Power were the Welatabi, Sorabi, Abodriti, and Baemanni, for with these there was fighting; but the rest, who were more numerous, quietly surrendered. The renown of his Kingdom was also much increased by the friendly alliances he cultivated with different kings and nations. Alfonso, king of Gallicia and Asturias, was so bound to him by the ties of friendship that, when he sent him letters or messengers, he used to command that The Kings he should be spoken of as being Karl's man. of the Scots, too, were by his munificence so devoted to his will, that they ever spoke of him as their Lord, and of themselves as his lieges and servants. Letters are still extant from them to him which show that this sort of relationship existed between them. Haroun, King of the Persians, who, with the exception of India, ruled over nearly all the East, was held by the King in such hearty friendship that he valued Karl's esteem above all other Kings and princes of the world, and thought that he alone was worthy to be honored by his regard and munificence. When the officers sent by King Karl with offerings to the most sacred sepulchre and place of the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour came to Haroun and announced the pleasure of their master, he not only gave them permission to do as they desired, but granted that that revered and sacred spot should be considered as belonging to King Karl. When the ambassadors set out on their return, he sent with them his own envoys, who conveyed to the King strange and curious gifts, with garments and spices and other rich products of the East, just as he had sent him a few years before, upon his request, the only elephant he then possessed. The Emperors at Constantinople, Nicephorus, Michael, and Leo, of their own accord, also sought his friendship
His Activity; Personal Appearance 579 and alliance, and sent to him several embassies; and since by assuming the Imperial title he had laid himself open to the grave suspicion of wishing to deprive them of Empire, he made with them the most binding treaty possible, that there might be no occasion of offence between them. But the Romans and Greeks always viewed with distrust the power of the Franks; hence arose the Greek proverb "Have a Frank for a friend but not for a neighbor." Illustrious as the King was in the work of enlarging Buildings. his kingdom and in conquering foreign nations, and though Eginhard, so constantly occupied with such affairs, he nevertheless Great! 17. began in several places very many works for the advantage and beautifying of his Kingdom. Some of these he was able to finish. Chief among them may be mentioned, as deserving of notice, the Basilica of the Holy Mother of God, built at Aachen, a marvel of workmanship; and the bridge over the Rhine at Mainz, five hundred paces in length, so broad is the river at that place. . . . IV. Personal Appearance and Habits The person of Karl was large and robust, and of com- His apmanding stature, though not exceeding good proportions, p®*''*°"- for it appears that he measured seven feet in height. The jfaH^^hf' top of his head was round, his eyes large and animated, ^'"'^"^ 22. his nose somewhat long, his hair white, and his face bright and pleasant; so that, whether standing or sitting, he showed very great presence and dignity. Although his neck was thick and rather short . . . still the fair proportions of his limbs concealed these defects. His walk was firm, and the whole carriage of his body was manly. His voice was clear, but not so strong as his frame would have led one to expect. His health was good until the last four years of his life, when he was attacked with
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- Page 547 and 548: 1 Edict of Prices 531 becomes impos
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His Activity; Personal Appearance 579<br />
and alliance, and sent to him several embassies; and since<br />
by assuming the Imperial title he had laid himself open<br />
to the grave suspicion <strong>of</strong> wishing to deprive them <strong>of</strong> Empire,<br />
he made with them the most binding treaty possible,<br />
that there might be no occasion <strong>of</strong> <strong>of</strong>fence between them.<br />
But the Romans and Greeks always viewed with distrust<br />
the power <strong>of</strong> the Franks; hence arose the Greek proverb<br />
"Have a Frank for a friend but not for a neighbor."<br />
Illustrious as the King was in the work <strong>of</strong> enlarging Buildings.<br />
his kingdom and in conquering foreign nations, and though<br />
Eginhard,<br />
so constantly occupied with such affairs, he nevertheless Great! 17.<br />
began in several places very many works for the advantage<br />
and beautifying <strong>of</strong> his Kingdom. Some <strong>of</strong> these he was<br />
able to finish.<br />
Chief among them may be mentioned, as<br />
deserving <strong>of</strong> notice, the Basilica <strong>of</strong> the Holy Mother <strong>of</strong><br />
God, built at Aachen, a marvel <strong>of</strong> workmanship; and the<br />
bridge over the Rhine at Mainz, five hundred paces in<br />
length, so broad is the river at that place. . . .<br />
IV.<br />
Personal Appearance and Habits<br />
<strong>The</strong> person <strong>of</strong> Karl was large and robust, and <strong>of</strong> com- His apmanding<br />
stature, though not exceeding good proportions,<br />
p®*''*°"-<br />
for it appears that he measured seven feet in height. <strong>The</strong> jfaH^^hf'<br />
top <strong>of</strong> his head was round, his eyes large and animated, ^'"'^"^ 22.<br />
his nose somewhat long, his hair white, and his face bright<br />
and pleasant; so that, whether standing or sitting, he<br />
showed very great presence and dignity. Although his<br />
neck was thick and rather short . . . still the fair proportions<br />
<strong>of</strong> his limbs concealed these defects. His walk<br />
was firm, and the whole carriage <strong>of</strong> his body was manly.<br />
His voice was clear, but not so strong as his frame would<br />
have led one to expect. His health was good until the<br />
last four years <strong>of</strong> his life, when he was attacked with
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