‘THE IDEAL MAN’ AS SEEN BY BOTH SOCRATES AND CHARLEMAGNE

The purpose of this research paper is to examine the so-called ‘Ideal Man,’ as
viewed by Socrates and Charlemagne. To begin with, I should like to state that as
Socrates’ time is more antiquated than Charlemagne, much more exists throughout the
literature regarding ‘The Ideal Man.’ This is largely based on the aesthetics of the human
body, morality, and similar aspects which shall be addressed throughout this research
paper. For the most part, when discussing Charlemagne, we are speaking about an
individual who was born c.742, at Aachen. Charlemagne himself inherited great wealth
and a strong military organization from his father and brother. He used these assets to
double the territory under Carolingian control. In c.772 he opened his offensive against the
Saxons and for more than three decades he pursued a ruthless policy aimed at subjugating
them and converting them to Christianity. Almost every year Charlemagne attacked one or
another region of Saxon territory. During these times, some 4,500 Saxons were execu...