Otto II
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AI overview
Otto II was a Holy Roman Emperor who ruled from 973 to 983 and also served as King of Italy from 980 to 983, making him one of the most powerful leaders in medieval Europe during his time. He matters historically because he represented the continuation and consolidation of the Holy Roman Empire during an important period of medieval political development.
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Person · Open Library
- Born
- 955
- Died
- 983
- Works
- 2
Top works
- Die Urkunden Otto des III
- Ottonis II. diplomata
via Open Library + Wikidata
Recent publications · Crossref
5 total works indexed
Works in European collections
3 objects attributed to Otto II, held across European museums, libraries & archives · via Europeana
Article
Otto II (955 – 7 December 983), called the Red (German: der Rote), was Holy Roman Emperor from 973 until his death in 983. A member of the Ottonian dynasty, Otto II was the youngest and sole surviving son of Otto the Great and Adelaide of Italy.
Otto II was made joint-ruler of Germany in 961, at an early age, and his father named him co-Emperor in 967 to secure his succession to the throne. His father also arranged for Otto II to marry the Byzantine Princess Theophanu, who would be his wife until his death. When his father died after a 37-year reign, the eighteen-year-old Otto II became absolute ruler of the Holy Roman Empire in a peaceful succession. Otto II spent his reign continuing his father's policy of strengthening Imperial rule in Germany and extending the borders of the Empire deeper into Southern Italy. Otto II also continued the work of Otto I in subordinating the Catholic Church to Imperial control.