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The Carolingian Dynasty (known variously as the Carlovingians or Karlings) was a dynasty of rulers who began as mayors of the palaces and eventually became kings of the Franks (751). It is perhaps most noteworthy as the dynasty that resurrected the idea of an emperor in the West. The Carolingians succeeded the Merovingian Dynasty and continued to rule in France until 987 when Louis V died. The term Carolingian itself derives from the Latin form of "Charles", Carolus, and refers to Charles Martel, the founder of the dynasty (although it is sometimes - mistakenly - attributed to the greatest of the dynasty, Carolus Magnus or "Charlemagne", who was the grandson of Charles Martel).[1] The last Carolingian emperor died in 899 before the title had been in the family for a century. The Carolingian downfall was faster than its rise.