Karoulos 2

Prosopography of the Byzantine Empire
SexM
FloruitE/M VIII
Dates714 (taq) / 739 (tpq)
Variant NamesCharles Martel;
Carolus
EthnicityFrank
LocationsProvincia (Provence, Francia);
Arles (Francia);
Francia (residence);
Francia;
Gallia (Narbonensis);
Aquitania (Francia);
Narbo (Francia)
TitlesRuler of the Franks (office)
Textual SourcesLiber Pontificalis, ed. L. Duchesne, Le liber pontificalis. Texte, introduction et commentaire, 2 vols. (Paris, 1886-92); re-issued with 3rd vol. by C. Vogel, (Paris, 1955-57) (chronicle);
Paulus Diaconus, Historia Gentis Langobardorum, ed. L. Bethmann and G. Waitz, MGH, Scr. Rer. Lang., pp. 12-187; also in MGH, Scr. Rer. Ger. 48, pp. 49-242 (history)

Karoulos 2 is Charles Martel, ruler of the Franks. He was the son and successor of Pepin (Pepin 2): Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 37, 42. Father of Pepin 1: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 53. After his father's death (in 714) he fought and defeated Raginfrid 1 and became sole ruler of the Franks ("cunctamque vero Francorum gentem ipse gubernandam suscepit"): Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 42, cf. Chronicon Moissiacense, p. 290. He is styled "princeps Francorum" by Paul the Deacon: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 53, cf. 37, 42 ("principatus").

Ten years after invading Spain the Arabs began to occupy Aquitaine (from 720); at the time Karoulos 2 was at odds with the ruler of Aquitania, Eudo 1, but they joined forces and inflicted a crushing defeat on them: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 46. Later they again attacked Gallia (Narbonensis) and Karoulos 2 inflicted another severe defeat on them in a battle near Narbo; they then turned their attention to Provincia (Provence) where they took Arles and did much damage; Karoulos 2 invited Liutprand 1 to send help (in 739) and he came with a large army; the Arabs then withdrew and Liutprand 1 returned to Italy: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 54. He sent his son Pepin 1 to the Lombard king Liutprand 1 who ceremonially cut off his locks and sent him back to Francia laden with royal gifts: Paul. Diac., Hist. Lang. VI 53. When Rome and Campania were attacked by the Lombards under their king Liutprand 1, pope Gregory III (Gregorios 7) sent an embassy, consisting of a bishop, Anastasios 36, and a priest, Sergios 50, to Francia to Karoulos 2 asking him for help; he is described as at that time ruler of the Franks: Lib. Pont. 92. 14 (later recension only; "Carolo sagacissimo viro, qui tunc regnum regebat Francorum"). At this period Karoulos 2 was still Mayor of the Palace, although de facto ruler of Francia. Described as king of the Franks and father of Carloman (Karoulomannos 1) ("Carolomannus, filius Caroli Francorum regis"): Lib. Pont. 93. 21 (recording the death of Karoulomannos 1). Said to have been the king of the Franks to whom popes Gregory II, Gregory III and Zacharias (Gregorios 72, Gregorios 7 and Zacharias 16) had all appealed for help against Liutprand 1 and the Lombards: Lib. Pont. 94. 15 ("Carolo excellentissime memorie regi Francorum").

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