Скачать или смотреть The Rivalry of Two Empires

During the late eighth century, the Byzantine Empire suffered from internal instability and leadership crises, beginning with the death of Constantine V and culminating in the brutal reign of Irene. Seeking to secure her power, Irene initially pursued a marital alliance with the Franks, but later broke the engagement as her influence grew and Charlemagne’s expansion began to threaten Byzantine interests. This political vacuum and the perception of Irene as an illegitimate female ruler provided Charlemagne with the opportunity to assert himself as the pre-eminent defender of the Christian faith. Following his military support for Pope Leo III, Charlemagne was crowned Emperor in 800, a direct challenge to the authority of the eastern court. This shift formalised a deep rivalry between the two powers, eventually leading to a tense diplomatic recognition of two separate imperial spheres. Despite subsequent treaties, the period solidified a lasting divide between the Byzantine east and the Carolingian west.