Charlemagne and Rome: Alcuin and the Epitaph of Pope Hadrian I

Charlemagne and Rome explores the cultural politics of the age of Charlemagne, focusing on a remarkable inscription commemorating Pope Hadrian I. Commissioned by Charlemagne, composed by Alcuin of York, and cut from black stone quarried close to Aachen, the epitaph was carried to Rome and set over the tomb of the pope in the south transept of St. Peter's Basilica. It was a masterpiece of Carolingian art, proclaiming Frankish mastery of the art and power of the written word and claiming the cultural inheritance of imperial and papal Rome. The epitaph was treasured through time and was one of only a few decorative objects translated from the late antique basilica of St. Peter's into the new structure.

Format: Hardback
Length: 432 pages
Publication date: 01 June 2023
Publisher: Oxford University Press

Charlemagne and Rome is a comprehensive examination of cultural politics in the era of Charlemagne, with a particular focus on a remarkable inscription commemorating Pope Hadrian I, who passed away in Rome at Christmas 795. Commissioned by Charlemagne, composed by Alcuin of York, and carved from black stone quarried near the king's new capital at Aachen in the heart of the Frankish kingdom, the epitaph was transported to Rome and placed over the tomb of the pope in the south transept of St. Peter's Basilica shortly before Charlemagne's imperial coronation in the basilica on Christmas Day 800. A masterpiece of Carolingian art, the epitaph served as a manifesto of empire, demanding perpetual commemoration for the king within the context of St. Peter's cult. In script, stone, and verse, it proclaimed Frankish mastery of the art and power of the written word, while also claiming the cultural inheritance of imperial and papal Rome, reimagined for a contemporary, early medieval audience.

Throughout history, Pope Hadrian's epitaph was cherished and considered one of the few decorative objects translated from the late antique basilica of St. Peter's into the new structure, which dominated and defined the early modern Renaissance. At the time, it was understood as precious evidence of the antiquity of imperial affection for the papacy, and Charlemagne's epitaph for Pope Hadrian I was preserved as the old basilica was destroyed and carefully redisplayed in the portico of the new church, where it can be seen today.

To undertake this study, the author employs a wide range of sources and methods, including art history, epigraphy, palaeography, geology, archaeology, and architectural history, as well as a close reading of contemporary texts in prose and verse. The book presents a detailed object biography, contextualizing Hadrian's epitaph in its historical and physical setting at St. Peter's over eight chapters.

In the first chapter, the author provides an introduction to the study, outlining the significance of the epitaph and the broader context of cultural politics in the age of Charlemagne. The second chapter explores the background and commissioning of the epitaph, tracing its origins back to Charlemagne's reign and the political and cultural significance of the Frankish kingdom. The third chapter delves into the composition and artistic style of the epitaph, examining the script, stone, and verse used to convey its message. The fourth chapter examines the historical and physical setting of St. Peter's Basilica, including its architecture, layout, and significance as a religious and cultural center. The fifth chapter explores the cultural and religious context of the epitaph, examining the role of the papacy in the early medieval world and the significance of St. Peter's as a symbol of Christian authority. The sixth chapter examines the political and imperial context of the epitaph, examining Charlemagne's role as a king and his relationship with the papacy. The seventh chapter explores the legacy of the epitaph, examining its impact on subsequent artistic and cultural developments and its continued significance in the modern world. The eighth and final chapter concludes the study, summarizing the key findings and offering insights into the broader implications of the epitaph for our understanding of cultural politics and the power of the written word in the early medieval world.

In conclusion, Charlemagne and Rome is a groundbreaking study that offers a comprehensive examination of cultural politics in the age of Charlemagne, with a particular focus on the remarkable inscription commemorating Pope Hadrian I. Through a wide range of sources and methods, the author presents a detailed object biography, contextualizing Hadrian's epitaph in its historical and physical setting at St. Peter's over eight chapters. The study demonstrates the significance of the epitaph as a masterpiece of Carolingian art, a manifesto of empire, and a testament to the power of the written word in the early medieval world. By exploring the political, cultural, and imperial contexts of the epitaph, the author offers insights into the broader implications of this remarkable object for our understanding of cultural politics and the power of the written word in the early medieval world.

Weight: 1118g
Dimension: 252 x 195 x 25 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780199206346