The 1906 caption reads” “ROLAND AT RONCESVALLES.—According to legend, Roland was the greatest of the Twelve Peers of Charlemagne. With the rear-guard of his sovereign's army he was assailed by countless hordes of the Saracens in a mountain pass of the Pyrenees. The blast for help which he blew upon his horn was heard by Charlemagne thirty miles away, but too late, and Roland was slain with all his followers.” The Song of Roland is the oldest surviving major piece of French literature. Scholars usually date it to between 1140 and 1170. The epic of France, it focuses on the theme of Charlemagne
The 1906 caption reads” “ROLAND AT RONCESVALLES.—According to legend, Roland was the greatest of the Twelve Peers of Charlemagne. With the rear-guard of his sovereign's army he was assailed by countless hordes of the Saracens in a mountain pass of the Pyrenees. The blast for help which he blew upon his horn was heard by Charlemagne thirty miles away, but too late, and Roland was slain with all his followers.” The Song of Roland is the oldest surviving major piece of French literature. Scholars usually date it to between 1140 and 1170. The epic of France, it focuses on the theme of Charlemagne, the leader of the Franks (the early French), fighting the Saracens (Muslims/Moors) in Spain. Fearful of the Franks, the Saracens offer to convert to Christianity if the Franks will return home. Roland is chosen as the messenger, but he gives the duty to his father-in l-aw Ganelon, who betrays him by suggesting to the Saracens that they ambush the rear of Charlemagne's army, which Roland has volunteered to lead. That is exactly what occurs at Roncesvalles (August 15 , 778 AD) . At first, Roland does not blow his horn to signal to the main army that help is needed as he and his men bravely fight the enemy, but as the numbers of Saracens overwhelm his small force, he does so (seen here), so loudly that his temples burst. “
Size: 3447px × 5310px
Photo credit: © Ivy Close Images / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
Keywords: 700s, 778, 8th, ad, blowing, century, charlemagne, christianity, early, epic, france, franks, french, ganelon, hero, history, horn, literature, moors, muslims, national, poem, poetry, roland, roncesvalles, roncevalles, saracens, song
