Mind-Benders of Christian History
Charlemagne was closer in time to the first Roman emperor than we are to Charlemagne
When Charlemagne was crowned 'Emperor of the Romans' in 800, the first Roman emperor, Augustus, lay about 827 years in the past. We today sit roughly 1,226 years after that coronation — so Charlemagne stood nearer to the Rome he was reviving than we stand to Charlemagne.
How we know
Augustus became emperor 27 BCE; Charlemagne crowned 25 Dec 800 CE -> gap 827 years. 800 CE to 2026 CE = 1,226 years. 827 < 1,226 (Wikipedia; standard chronology).
One of many fact-checked wonders across eight traditions at The Spring of Wisdom.