Theophanu facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Theophanu |
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Christ blessing Otto (left) and Theophano (right), ivory book cover, dated 982/3, Musée de Cluny, Paris.
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| Empress of the Holy Roman Empire | |
| Tenure | 7 May 973 – 7 December 983 |
| Queen consort of Germany | |
| Tenure | 14 April 972 – 7 December 983 |
| Coronation | 14 April 972 |
| Born | c. 955 possibly Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey) |
| Died | 15 June 991 Nijmegen (modern-day Netherlands) |
| Spouse | Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor (m. 972; died 983) |
| Issue more... |
Adelaide I, Abbess of Quedlinburg Sophia I, Abbess of Gandersheim Mathilde, Countess Palatine of Lorraine Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor |
| Father | Constantine Skleros |
| Mother | Sophia Phokas |
Theophanu (born around 955 – died June 15, 991) was a powerful empress of the Holy Roman Empire. She became empress by marrying Emperor Otto II. After her husband died in 983, she ruled the Empire as a regent for their young son, Emperor Otto III. She continued to rule until her own death in 991.
Theophanu was the niece of the Byzantine Emperor John I Tzimiskes. She was known as a strong and capable leader. Her role in the Empire's history was very special. She was the only empress to be called "co-empress." This title meant she could have ruled alone if Otto II had died without a son.
Contents
Theophanu's Early Life
Theophanu was born around 955, possibly in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul, Turkey). Her marriage certificate, from April 14, 972, says she was the niece of Emperor John I Tzimiskes. He ruled the Byzantine Empire from 969 to 976.
Theophanu came from a very important noble family. She was likely the daughter of Constantine Skleros and Sophia Phokas. Her family was closely related to Byzantine emperors.
The Royal Marriage
The Ottonian rulers, who were the family of Emperor Otto I, wanted his son Otto II to marry a princess "born in the purple." This meant a princess born while her father was emperor. Theophanu was not born this way. The Saxon writer Bishop Thietmar of Merseburg said that the Ottonians really wanted Anna Porphyrogenita, another Byzantine princess.
Theophanu's uncle, John I Tzimiskes, had taken over the throne from the previous emperor in 969. A group of German and Italian church leaders and nobles brought Theophanu to Rome for her wedding. When Otto I's court found out Theophanu was not from the main imperial family, some advisors wanted him to send her away. They thought her connection to John Tzimiskes, who had taken the throne by force, would make the marriage less valid.
However, Otto I was convinced to let her stay. It was pointed out that John Tzimiskes had married Theodora, who was from the main imperial family. So, John was connected to the imperial family through marriage. Otto I agreed, and Theophanu married Otto II on April 14, 972.
Earlier marriage talks had failed because the Pope called Emperor Nikephoros II "Emperor of the Greeks." This upset the Byzantines. But when John I Tzimiskes became emperor, talks restarted. Finally, a third group of envoys, led by Archbishop Gero of Cologne, finished the negotiations.
After the marriage talks were done, Theophanu and Otto II were married by Pope John XIII in April 972. She was crowned Holy Roman Empress on the same day in Rome. Otto I believed this marriage would help secure his family's future.
Theophanu faced some challenges because she was from a foreign land. Her father-in-law, Otto the Great, helped her gain her position. But after he died in 973, she lost her strongest supporter at court.
Empress of the Holy Roman Empire
Otto II became emperor on May 8, 973, after his father died. Theophanu traveled with her husband everywhere he went. She is mentioned in about a quarter of his official documents. This shows how important she was and how much she cared about the Empire's matters.
Theophanu often disagreed with her mother-in-law, Adelaide of Italy. The young couple and Adelaide had arguments about many things. Adelaide was even happy when "that Greek woman" (Theophanu) died, according to Abbot Odilo of Cluny.
Despite this, the imperial couple gained the trust of their allies at a meeting in Worms in 973. After that, they traveled together, making new friends and strengthening old ones. Theophanu showed great skill in diplomacy. She was an active partner in political discussions.
Some people criticized Theophanu. The writer Alpert of Metz said she was unpleasant and talked too much. She was also criticized for bringing new fancy clothes and jewelry to France and Germany.
Otto II died suddenly on December 7, 983, at only 28 years old. He likely died from malaria. Their three-year-old son, Otto III, had already been named King of the Romans earlier that year. For Christmas, Theophanu had Otto III crowned by Archbishop Willigis in Aachen Cathedral. She then began to rule as Empress Regent for him.
After Otto II's death, Duke Henry the Quarrelsome was released from prison. He allied with Archbishop Warin of Cologne and took Otto III in spring 984. Theophanu was still in Italy at the time. However, she was supported by Archbishop Willigis and Bishop Hildebald. Henry was forced to give the child back to his mother.
Theophanu's Regency
Taking Control
Theophanu ruled the Holy Roman Empire as regent for five years, from May 985 until her death in 991. She faced some early challenges from the Ottonian court. However, many queens in the 10th century found themselves in power when male rulers died young. This led to a time with more female leaders.
Her power as queen, empress, and regent came from several sources. Saxon traditions gave women an equal role in the family. Byzantine culture offered a model of a female ruler alongside the emperor. And her mother-in-law Adelaide's strong legacy also helped.
While some historians say Theophanu and Adelaide often argued, others believe their rivalry is sometimes exaggerated. Theophanu's "Greekness" was not a big problem overall. In fact, there was a lot of interest in Byzantine culture in the West.
Theophanu was not just a symbol; she actively influenced the Holy Roman Empire. She was involved in governing the empire 76 times during her husband Otto II's reign. This hinted at her future role as regent. Her first action as regent was to make sure her son, Otto III, was the clear heir. Theophanu also gave her daughters important positions in powerful nunneries. This helped secure power for all her children.
She welcomed ambassadors and called herself "imperator" or "imperatrix." This was similar to other female rulers of her time, like Irene of Athens and Theodora. Her reign as ruler is considered to have started in 972, the year she married Otto II. Theophanu's time as regent was peaceful, with no major crises between 985 and 991.
Peace, Diplomacy, and Culture
In the North, Theophanu made a treaty with King Erich VII of the Danes. This treaty created an alliance against Slavic tribes. It also improved trade and cultural connections. In the East, she sent messengers to Vladimir the Great of Kiev. He was married to the Byzantine princess Anna, who was Emperor Basil II's sister.
Theophanu imagined a "family of kings," much like the Byzantine tradition. In this idea, the emperor was the "father" of other kings, who were his "sons" and "friends." The "family" of the Western Empire included the duke of Poland, Mieszko I, and rulers of Bohemia and Hungary. Her way of ruling, influenced by Byzantine and ancient Roman ideas, was continued by Otto II and especially Otto III.
Some historians, like Gerd Althoff, suggest that Theophanu's diplomatic skills might be overstated. Royal documents show that powerful nobles were very important in governing the empire. This was unusual, as kings or emperors in the Middle Ages rarely shared so much power with nobility.
Theophanu brought Byzantine customs to the Empire. These customs influenced clothing, crowns, jewelry, eating habits, and even furniture. Her scholars also brought Byzantine legal procedures. The worship of Saint Nicholas in the Empire also started because of her.
Theophanu, her husband, and her son encouraged trade in the Empire. Magdeburg and its traders were given special rights. Historical records show strong trade activities from Lüneburg to Halle. There are signs of Byzantine, Slavic, and Arab traders.
Like many Byzantine regents, Theophanu preferred diplomacy. But she did lead wars when needed and accepted personal risks. In 987, she led a successful military trip herself. She marched with an imperial army to help the bishop of Liege against the count of Blois and Troyes.
Theophanu became ill in 988. She eventually died in Nijmegen in 991. She was buried in the Church of St. Pantaleon in Cologne.
Because Otto III was still a child, his grandmother Adelaide of Italy took over as regent. She ruled until Otto III was old enough to rule on his own.
Theophanu's Children
- Adelaide I, Abbess of Quedlinburg and Gandersheim, born 973/974, died 1045.
- Sophia I, Abbess of Gandersheim and Essen, born October 975, died 1039.
- Mathilde, born summer 978, died 1025; she married Ezzo, a count palatine of Lotharingia.
- Otto III, Holy Roman Emperor, born late June/early July 980.
- A daughter, who was Otto's twin, but died before October 8, 980.
Images for kids
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Theophanu's name on the Weg der Ottonen, Magdeburg.
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Sarcophagus of Empress Theophanu, St. Pantaleon, Cologne.
See also
In Spanish: Teófano Esclero para niños
