On Christmas Day in 800 CE, Pope Leo III crowned Charlemagne as Holy Roman Emperor in St. Peter’s Basilica, shaping the course of European history.
The Coronation of Charlemagne: The Birth of the Holy Roman Empire
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Medieval Rome
The Leonine Wall: Rome’s Defense Against Saracen Raids
In the 9th century, Pope Leo IV built the Leonine Wall to protect Rome from Saracen raids, strengthening the city’s medieval defenses.
Rome in the 14th Century: The Abandonment During the Avignon Papacy
During the Avignon Papacy (1309–1377), Rome fell into decline as the popes ruled from France, leaving the Eternal City in political and economic turmoil.
The Investiture Controversy: Pope Gregory VII vs. Emperor Henry IV
In the 11th century, Pope Gregory VII and Emperor Henry IV clashed over the right to appoint bishops, igniting the Investiture Controversy.
