Charlemagne - Historically, Charlemagne (742?-814), was king of the Franks and a committed, militant Christian.

A loyal ally of the pope and a great conqueror, he forced conversions as he expanded the boundaries of his empire
outward from his central territory, straddling present-day France and Germany. In 800 he was crowned emperor by
the pope, legitimizing his rule over the former Roman empire in western Europe. After his death, he became
legendary; it is this legendary Charlemagne, the most perfect Christian king, symbol of the spirit of the Crusades,
and favorite of heaven, who is presented in The Song of Roland as leader of the Frankish troops and Roland's uncle
and avenger. His name means literally, "Charles the Great."
Roland - Roland is only mentioned in passing in the historical records, as the prefect of the Breton Marches,
among those who fell at Roncesvals. In The Song of Roland, however, he is the hero. He is one of the twelve peers
of France, Charlemagne's nephew and favorite, a skillful and extremely bold warrior and understands the Frankish
campaign in Spain as a crusade, allowing no compromise with the Saracens. His sometimes showy boldness and
his great popularity among the Franks and success on the battlefield arouse the venomous resentment of his
stepfather, Ganelon, who arranges with the Saracens the ambush at Roncesvals. He dies a martyr's death at
Roncesvals and is directly taken up to Paradise by saints and angels. The rest of the poem recounts how
Charlemagne avenges his death.
Ganelon - Ganelon is a well-respected Frankish baron and Roland's stepfather. He resents his stepson's
boastfulness and great popularity among the Franks and success on the battlefield. When Roland nominates him as
messenger to the Saracens, Ganelon is so deeply offended that he vows vengeance. This vengeance becomes
treachery as Ganelon plots with the pagan Blancandrin the ambush at Roncesvals. At the end, justice is served
when Ganelon's comrade Pinabel is defeated in a trial-by-combat, showing that Ganelon is a traitor in the eyes of
God. Thus Ganelon is torn limb from limb by four fiery horses.

The Electromagnetic Spectrum

The electromagnetic (EM) spectrum is the range of all types of EM radiation.
Radiation is energy that travels and spreads out as it goes the visible light that
comes from a lamp in your house and the radio waves that come from a radio
station are two types of electromagnetic radiation. The other types of EM
radiation that make up the electromagnetic spectrum are microwaves,infrared
light, ultraviolet light, X-rays and gamma-rays.
You know more about the electromagnetic spectrum than you may think. The image below
shows where you might encounter each portion of the EM spectrum in your day-to-day life.

Radio: Your radio captures radio waves emitted by radio stations, bringing
your favorite tunes. Radio waves are also emitted by stars and gases in space.
Microwave: Microwave radiation will cook your popcorn in just a few minutes,
but is also used byastronomers to learn about the structure of nearby galaxies.
Infrared: Night vision goggles pick up the infrared light emitted by our skin
and objects with heat. In space, infrared light helps us map the dust between
stars.

Visible: Our eyes detect visible light. Fireflies, light bulbs, and stars all emit
visible light.
Ultraviolet: An ultraviolet radiation is emitted by the Sun and are the reason
skin tans and burns. "Hot" objects in space emit UV radiation as well.
X-ray: A dentist uses X-rays to image your teeth, and airport security uses
them to see through your bag. Hot gases in the Universe also emit X-rays.
Gamma ray: Doctors use gamma-ray imaging to see inside your body. The
biggest gamma-ray generator of all is the Universe.