Voltaire's Critique of the Holy Roman Empire's Name and Historical Reality
In his 1756 work 'An Essay on Universal History, the Manners, and Spirit of Nations,' François-Marie Arouet, commonly referred to as Voltaire, condemned the Holy Roman Empire, declaring it was 'neither Holy, nor Roman, nor an Empire.' This empire traces its roots back to Charlemagne's coronation by Pope Leo III in 800 AD and was later revived in 962 by Otto of Saxony. The designation 'holy' was introduced in the 12th century, resulting in the name 'Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.' It encountered significant disputes with the Papacy, particularly the Investiture Controversy, which concluded with the 1122 Concordat of Worms. The Habsburg dynasty commenced with Frederick III in 1453, and Charles V was the final emperor to be crowned by the Pope in 1530. Ultimately, the empire was dissolved by Emperor Francis II in August 1806, prompted by Napoleon's influence.
Key facts
- Voltaire made his famous critique in his 1756 book 'An Essay on Universal History, the Manners, and Spirit of Nations'.
- The Holy Roman Empire originated with Charlemagne's coronation by Pope Leo III in Rome on Christmas Day 800 AD.
- The empire was revived in 962 by German king Otto of Saxony, establishing its German character.
- The title 'Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation' came into use by the late 15th century.
- The Investiture Controversy, a power struggle between Pope and emperor, ended with the Concordat of Worms in 1122.
- Charles V was the last emperor crowned by the Pope, in Bologna in 1530.
- The empire was dissolved by Emperor Francis II in August 1806 following Napoleon's establishment of the Confederation of the Rhine.
- The Habsburg dynasty held the imperial title almost exclusively from the 15th century until the empire's dissolution.
Entities
Artists
- Friedrich Kaulbach
- Christian Siedentopf
- Titian
- Nicolas de Largillière
- Johannes Lingelbach
- Dante Alighieri
Institutions
- TheCollector
- Wikimedia Commons
- Museo del Prado
- DW.com
- themedievalmagazine.com
Locations
- Rome
- Italy
- Germany
- France
- Bologna
- Worms
- Mainz
- Cologne
- Trier
- Bohemia
- Rhine
- Saxony
- Brandenburg
- Austria
- Hungary
- Spain
- Burgundy
- Milan
- Tuscany
- Venice
- Florence
- Poland
- Prussia
- Hanover
- England
- Silesia
- Lombardy
- Byzantine Empire
- Constantinople
- Athens
- Matilda of Tuscany
- Confederation of the Rhine