Childeric III was a king of the Franks who ruled from 743 to 751 AD. He was a member of the Merovingian dynasty, which was known for its long line of kings. Childeric III's reign was marked by the increasing power of the Carolingian family, particularly Charles Martel, who served as the de facto ruler of the Frankish kingdom during this time. In 751, Childeric III was deposed by Pope Zachary at the request of Pepin the Short, the son of Charles Martel. This event marked the end of the Merovingian dynasty and the rise of the Carolingians, leading to significant changes in the political landscape of medieval Europe.