# Carloman I

> King of the Franks (r. 768–771)

**Wikidata**: [Q191003](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q191003)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carloman_I)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/carloman-i

## Summary
Carloman I was a Frankish monarch who co-ruled the Frankish Kingdom alongside his brother Charlemagne from 768 until his death in 771. As the son of Pepin the Short, he played a pivotal role in the early Carolingian dynasty, though his reign was cut short, leading to Charlemagne's sole rule and subsequent expansion of the empire.

## Biography
- **Born**: 751  
- **Nationality**: Frankish  
- **Known for**: Co-ruling the Frankish Kingdom with Charlemagne  
- **Employer(s)**: Frankish Kingdom  
- **Field(s)**: Monarchy, Governance  

## Contributions
- **Co-Rulership (768–771)**: Governed the Frankish Kingdom jointly with Charlemagne after their father Pepin the Short’s death in 768. The brothers divided the realm, with Carloman ruling the southwestern territories, including Austrasia and Neustria.  
- **Division of Power**: Maintained a tense but functional partnership with Charlemagne, though their collaboration was marked by occasional friction.  
- **Succession Impact**: His death in 771 led to Charlemagne’s unchallenged rule, enabling the latter’s conquests and the eventual unification of much of Western Europe under Carolingian authority.  

## FAQs
**Who was Carloman I’s brother?**  
Carloman I’s brother was Charlemagne (Charles the Great), with whom he co-ruled the Frankish Kingdom.  

**What happened after Carloman I’s death?**  
Following his death in 771, Charlemagne assumed sole rule of the Frankish Kingdom, excluding Carloman’s sons from succession and consolidating power.  

**How long did Carloman I reign?**  
Carloman I reigned for three years (768–771) before his early death at age 20.  

## Why They Matter
Carloman I’s brief reign underscored the fragility of Carolingian power-sharing arrangements. His death eliminated the possibility of a divided Frankish realm, allowing Charlemagne to centralize authority and embark on military campaigns that reshaped medieval Europe. Without Carloman’s demise, the trajectory of the Carolingian Empire—and European history—might have been significantly altered.

## Notable For
- Co-king of the Franks with Charlemagne (768–771).  
- Early death at age 20, triggering Charlemagne’s sole rule.  
- Exclusion of his sons from the throne, ensuring Carolingian unity under Charlemagne.  

## Body

### Early Life and Family
Carloman I was born in 751 to Pepin the Short and Bertrada of Laon. He belonged to the Carolingian dynasty, which rose to prominence after Pepin’s coronation as King of the Franks in 751. Following Frankish tradition, Carloman and his brother Charlemagne were groomed for governance from a young age.

### Reign and Co-Rulership
Upon Pepin’s death in 768, the Frankish Kingdom was divided between Carloman and Charlemagne. Carloman ruled over Austrasia, Neustria, and parts of Aquitaine, while Charlemagne governed the northern and eastern territories. Though the brothers collaborated on military campaigns, such as suppressing revolts in Aquitaine, tensions occasionally arose, particularly regarding the governance of border regions.  

### Death and Legacy
Carloman died on December 4, 771, at the age of 20, likely in the vicinity of Samoussy. His death was sudden, though the cause remains undocumented. Contrary to Frankish custom, his sons were excluded from the succession, with Charlemagne seizing control of the entire kingdom. This power consolidation enabled Charlemagne’s expansive reign, which saw the Frankish Empire reach its zenith.  

Carloman’s legacy lies in his role as a transitional figure whose early demise catalyzed Charlemagne’s rise. His brief rule highlights the precarious nature of shared governance in the early medieval period and the dynastic maneuvering that shaped the Carolingian Empire.

## References

1. La Préhistoire des Capétiens
2. Source
3. The Peerage
4. Find a Grave
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
6. Virtual International Authority File
7. Sejm-Wielki.pl