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French History Timeline > 
Homo Erectus, who lived around 950,000 B.C., was the first human found in France. With the end of the Ice Age, prehistoric man began to settle down in more permanent agricultural settlements (Neolithic Revolution). The Celts came from Central Europe and settled in Gaul around 2500 B.C. The Celts were iron workers and dominated Gaul until 125 B.C., when the Roman Empire began its reign in southern France.
Charles Martel was the first leader of the Carolingian dynasty. He expanded the Frankish kingdom and stopped the Muslim advance in 732. He was succeeded by Pepin II, also known as Pepin the Short. Charlemagne (742-814) continued the expansion of the Frankish kingdom.Charlemagne not only was an able military leader, but he was also a great supporter of education and the arts. In fact, there was a Carolingian renaissance during Charlemagne's rule. Shortly after his death, however, the kingdom was divided. All of Charlemagne's sons died except for Louis the Pious, who reigned for 30 years and managed to keep the kingdom together. However, when Louis died, different alliances formed around Louis' three sons, Lothar, Louis the German and Charles the Bald.
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