Roman Empire and the Carolingian Empire

In comparison, there are some similarities between the Roman Empire and the Carolingian Empire as well as their rulers, Augustus and Charlemagne. Each leader in his own respect was a well-versed military man with prowess in engaging in war to expand their influence and control. Each leader had acquired a great deal of land at the beginning of their reign, and throughout their careers had exponentially accrued a vast empire. The key difference that allowed the Roman Empire to continue to sustain itself was the management of the acquired territory and the ability to promote effective successors to perpetuate the success. Not long after Charlemagne passed did his vast empire collapse in the wake of internal dissention between his grandsons.

In order for each empire to continue to continue to successfully conquer the surrounding lands, each had to engage in effective political and military dealings. In order to generate perpetual gains in political power, Augustus first had to eliminate those that were initially opposed to his rise to leadership - Marc Antony and Lepidus. After successfully defeating these two rivals, Augustus began his march to power beginning with Consulship, eventually forming the vast and long-successful reign of the Roman Empire. Charlemagne's rise to power was a bit simpler due to inheritance of both title and land from his father, Pepin. However in order to attain full power and begin a succession into imperial reign, Charlemagne had to finish what his father started and begin his career by taking down Aquitaine.

Throughout the campaign of both Augustus and Charlemagne there were many military engagements that were successful in attaining them wealth, power, and land. Charlemagne is said to have employed military tactics that highlighted swift action of his armies who engaged in ruthless brutality, which allowed him to promptly and effectively accomplish victory after victory. Charlemagne, in contrast to Augustus, actually participated in his military campaigns. Augustus would not join his legions in their crusades. Rather, he would stay in Rome and focus on government structure and administrative tasks. He strategically organized the military to encourage participation of both Romans as well as non-Romans.

The biggest and most notable difference between the two empires was the level of sustainability - in turn the length of time each empire was alive and active. While the Roman Empire reigned over a vast territory for centuries, the Carolingian Empire barely lasted through the regime of its forbearer. The most considerable difference in viability of each empire lies within the structure and bestowal of power and rule. Augustus was successful in passing his title to Tiberious and had set him up with a governmental structure that would continue to flourish. Charlemagne, on the other hand, bequeathed his territory to his son -- who then passed it down and divided it between