Otto II

Reign: 973 – 983
Life: 955–983

A member of the Ottonian dynasty, he 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. 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. He 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. Early in his reign, Otto II defeated a major revolt against his rule from other members of the Ottonian dynasty who claimed the throne for themselves. His victory allowed him to exclude the Bavarian line of the Ottonians from the line of Imperial succession.

During Otto II's reign, Eric the Victorious ruled Sweden, Kenneth II of Scotland ruled Scotland, and Emperor En'yū ruled Japan.

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Otto the Great by Matthias Becher

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Otto the Great

Matthias Becher

Becher on the Ottonian dynasty, Otto II's Italian ambitions and defeat at Cotrone.

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