Roman caesars often “crowned themselves” by having the support of the army or other factions. While there were kings and queens after the fall of the Roman Empire, it wasn’t until Christmas Day in 800 AD when Charlemagne was crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Leo III did the idea of empires in Europe start their rebirth. Leo III was elected Pope on December 26, 795 and his crowning of Charlemagne five years later also began the church/state power swap that would last for centuries to come. This is a tapestry of Leo crowning Charlemagne.
