756. Abderrahman founds the kingdom of the Ommiads at Cordova.
757. Emperor Constantine courts the favor of Pépin; among other presents he sends him the first organ known in France.
759. Pépin conquers Narbonne and expels the last Saracens from France.
762.[84] Founding of Bagdad, the capital of the eastern caliphs.
767. Death of Pope Paul I; usurpation of Constantine, antipope.
768. Pépin dies and is succeeded by his sons Charles (Charlemagne) and Carloman. See [CAREER OF CHARLEMAGNE], iv, 334.
769. Council of Rome annuls all acts of the deposed pope Constantine; he, although blinded by the populace, is led into the assembly, insulted, and beaten. Laymen are declared incapable of being made bishops.
771. Death of Carloman; Charlemagne becomes sole king of the Franks. See [CAREER OF CHARLEMAGNE], iv, 334.
772. Charlemagne begins his long war against the Saxons.
774. Charlemagne visits Rome; he captures Pavia after a siege of eight months; and also puts an end to the kingdom of Lombardy. The papal temporalities are increased by Charlemagne. Forgery of the "Donation of Constantine" used as a plea to urge Charlemagne still more to aggrandize the see of Rome.