Final answer:
The Franks built and governed a European empire through military conquests and strategic alliances. They united their tribes, defeated rivals, and absorbed Roman territories. They established a decentralized governance system but faced challenges due to internal conflicts.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Franks built and governed a European empire through a series of military conquests and strategic alliances. Under the leadership of Clovis, the Frankish tribes were united and expanded their territory by defeating rival tribes and absorbing Roman territories. They established a system of decentralized governance, where local counts ruled over counties and margraves protected the borders. However, the empire eventually faced challenges due to internal conflicts and the lack of a strong central authority.