Jesus of Nazareth (ca. 6 BCE-ca. 29 CE) was the Jewish preacher responsible for the establishment of Christianity. With great respect for the Jewish scriptures, Jesus preached his own views on religious issues such as Sabbath observance, dietary laws, and ritual purity. Ultimately, the dissemination of these views was the cause of his arrest and crucifixion upon arrival in Jerusalem. Although considered by many to be an agitator, many Jews believed that Jesus was indeed the Messiah mentioned in the Old Testament. Jesus emphasized the importance of loving God and other human beings so that his followers could prepare for the “coming” of God’s kingdom. Christianity, today the most widely practiced religion in the world, has its origins in the teachings of Jesus of Nazareth and will continue to have a significant impact on the modern world. The transformation of the Carolingian Empire into a restored Roman Empire in the eighth century is attributed to Charles the Great, also known as King Charlemagne. Charlemagne, who reigned from 768 to 814, was a Christian and reminded many of Constantine, the fir...