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Secondary sourceArtifactfirst quarter of 3rd century AD

Proserpina Sarcophagus

first quarter of 3rd century AD

A reused third-century Roman marble sarcophagus believed to have held Charlemagne's body after his death, now in Aachen Cathedral Treasury.

This ancient Roman sarcophagus is believed, though disputed, to have been Charlemagne's original burial container, linking him to Roman imperial tradition.

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Photo of a rectangular white marble sarcophagus with a dark interior, displayed on a black base in a dim room. Its front side has a dense relief of carved figures in a scene with horses and robed people. Metal rail in the foreground.
Proserpina sarcophagus, early 3rd century AD. Aachen Cathedral Treasury.

About this source

What it is

This Roman marble sarcophagus was carved in the early third century AD in Rome, decorated with a relief of the myth of the Rape of Persephone. It is believed, though disputed among historians, to have been used for Charlemagne's burial in Aachen Cathedral after his death in 814. It survives today in the Aachen Cathedral Treasury, having been moved to Paris by Napoleon and later returned.

Why it matters

If Charlemagne was indeed buried in this ancient Roman sarcophagus, it shows how he wanted to connect himself to the authority of the old Roman Empire, even in death. Some historians argue the sarcophagus may not have held him until centuries later, which shows how uncertain and debated even famous

This artifact is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Charlemagne on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Woodcut title page with the heading 'VITA ET GESTA KAROLI MAGNI' and labels 'KAROLVS I' and 'KAROLVS V'. Two standing crowned men in robes are depicted, one bearded and one with a scepter, flanked by coats of arms and decorative borders, with 'CVM PRIVILEGIO IMPERIALI' at the bottom.Book

Secondary source

Vita Karoli Magni

Einhard · c. 817-833

Manuscript page in Latin handwriting, black ink with red rubricated headings, on aged parchment. Text includes the entry for the year 814 and the red closing line 'Finiunt gesta domni Karoli magni et praecellentissimi Francorum imperatoris'.Document

Primary source

Royal Frankish Annals

741-829, this manuscript c. 900

Letter

Primary source

De litteris colendis

Charlemagne · late 780s-800s

Scanned manuscript page of medieval Latin handwriting in brown ink on aged, yellowed parchment, written in a dense column with some marginal annotations on the left. The text is the Admonitio generalis.Document

Primary source

Admonitio generalis

Charlemagne · 23 March 789

Scanned page of a medieval manuscript in brown ink on yellowed parchment, with a red-ink heading at top and three columns of Latin words listed line by line, likely the chapter 70 list of plants of the Capitulare de villis.Document

Primary source

Capitulare de villis

c. 771-800

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