Talisker Tutorial's Great Books III Assignment 5 Study Questions

Great Books III Study Questions for Assignment 5

Study Questions for Assignment 5, EINHARD AND NOTKER, TWO LIVES OF CHARLEMAGNE

Very good article about the influence of Charlemagne

Greatest extent of Charlemagne's territory
Charlemagne's throne room at Aix-la-chapelle
Charlemagne's throne at Aix-la-chapelle
Theodulph, Bishop of Orleans (mentioned on pg. 90 in text)

1. What are the dates of Charlemagne's life?

2. What was Einhard's relation to Charlemagne?

3. According to Einhard's Introduction, what are his reasons for writing this book?

4. Bk 1: Who were his grandfather and father and for what were they each famous?

5. Describe briefly the transition from the Merovingian to the Carolingian dynasty.

6. Bk. 2, sec. 9: What is the name of this battle, and what famous medieval epic grew out of the story?

7. sec. 16: What was the name of the elephant that Harun al-Raschid sent to Charlemagne?

8. Bk. 3: a) What was Charlemagne's relationship with his family in general? b) sec. 19: What was his attitude toward the education of his children?

9. Bk. 3, sec. 18 How many wives and concubines did he have, and in what order?

10. secs. 23-27: a) What was Charlemagne's appearance? b) How would you describe his personal habits? c) How well did he put his claims of Christianity into practice?

11. Bk. 4: What were some of the omens that appeared before his death?

Note: Bishop Theodulf of Orleans, one of the witnesses of Charlemagne's last will and testament (end of Bk. 5), wrote the famous hymn "All Glory, Laud, and Honor". Read this article and this one. Also go here and here to listen to the hymn.

12. Other stuff about Notker.

Include in your paragraph post this week the following things:

a) Impressions of Einhard and Notker as writers.

b) Impressions of Charlemagne as king.

c) Favorite stories from Einhard and/or Notker

d) Finish the story of Stracholf the Glazier (glass-worker) on page 172!