History Atlas

How The Past Is Known
Sign In
Text size
100%
Theme

Switch Atlas

Historical Figure

Otto the Great

Also Known As Otto the Great · Otto I; Otto of Saxony
Monarchs and Rulers

Otto the Great, born Otto I in 912, was a Saxon ruler who became East Frankish, or German, king in 936 and Holy Roman Emperor from 962 until his death in 973. As king he unified the German tribes and expanded royal authority by subordinating the regional dukes, reorganizing the church, and placing loyal appointees in positions of power in what became known as the imperial church system. In 962 Pope John XII crowned him emperor in Rome, following the precedent Charlemagne had set, restoring an imperial title that had gone unclaimed for decades. His reign marked the rise of Germany as the preeminent kingdom of medieval Europe, a position it held for centuries afterward. He died on May 7, 973. This description is adapted from Wikipedia contributors under CC BY-SA 4.0; changes were made. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/

Facts
Birth Year
912 1
Death Year
973 1
Role
East Frankish (German) king and Holy Roman Emperor 2
Role
King of East Francia (Germany) from 936 and Holy Roman Emperor from 962 until his death in 973 1
Birth Date
0912-11-23 1
Death Date
0973-05-07 1
Death Place
Memleben, Holy Roman Empire 1
Partially Attested
Birthplace
Possibly Wallhausen, East Francia 1
Sources describe this as a possible, not certain, birthplace.
Classification
Gender
Male 1
Role
Role (category)
Monarch / Royalty 1
Connections

Associated With

The Ottonian Period, Eras

Era to a live counterpart from the era end

In Era

The Post-Classical and Medieval Period, Eras
Source Wikipedia: Otto the Great

Ruled

The Holy Roman Empire, Polities
Source Wikipedia: Otto the Great

Succeeded By

Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, Historical Figures
Source Wikipedia: Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor
In the Other Atlases
  • Also in Geography Atlas: Germany, originated there.
Sources
1. Wikipedia: Otto the Great
  • Introduction and infobox, en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Otto_the_Great
    Otto I, known as Otto the Great or Otto of Saxony, was East Frankish (German) king from 936 and Holy Roman Emperor from 962 until his death in 973.
  • Otto the Great: Gender
    Otto the Great, born Otto I in 912, was a Saxon ruler who became East Frankish, or German, king in 936 and Holy Roman Emperor from 962 until his death in 973.
  • Ruled: The Holy Roman Empire
  • In Era: The Post-Classical and Medieval Period, lead paragraph, lifespan
    Infobox: born 912-11-23; died 973-5-7
View the Source
2. Wikipedia: Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor
Wikipedia
  • lead section
    known as Otto the Great
  • Birth and family section
    Otto was born on 23 November 912
  • lead section, infobox dates
    Otto I (23 November 912-7 May 973)
  • closing summary of reign
    Otto finally returned to Germany in August 972 and died at Memleben in May 973.
  • Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor: Gender
    He consolidated royal authority over the German duchies, often against the resistance of powerful regional nobles, and in 955 won a decisive victory over invading Magyar raiders at the Battle of Lechfeld, ending the threat of Magyar incursions into Western Europe.
View the Source
Wikidata: Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor
Wikidata Q43915, class allow-list match (w-wdresolver-0926)View the Source
Wikipedia: Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor
Wikipedia
  • Succeeded By: Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, Lead section
    When his father died after a 37-year reign, the 18-year-old Otto II became absolute ruler of the Holy Roman Empire in a peaceful succession.
  • Succeeded By: Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor, Lead section, succession sentence
    When his father died after a 37-year reign, the 18-year-old Otto II became absolute ruler of the Holy Roman Empire in a peaceful succession.
View the Source

Take a Related Quiz

Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to share a thought.
Reader Challenges (0)
No disputes yet. Spotted an error or a better source? Open the first one.