Human Saga

Otto I crowned emperor, founding the Holy Roman Empire

2 February 962 CE·Politics & governance·Rome / Germany·
2 February 962 CEDate
Politics & governanceCategory
26Empires active
Date
2 February 962 CE
Category
Politics & governance
Region
Rome / Germany
Era
Post-Classical / Medieval
Significance

On 2 February 962, Pope John XII crowned Otto I of Germany as emperor at Old St Peter's Basilica in Rome, reviving the Western imperial title that had lapsed for nearly four decades since the decline of the Carolingian line.

Otto had answered the pope's appeal for protection against the Italian king Berengar, and in return secured imperial dignity for himself and his successors; the following day the Diploma Ottonianum confirmed the papacy's territorial rights and the emperor's role as protector of the Church. The coronation permanently linked the German monarchy to the imperial office and to northern Italy, uniting the two realms under a single ruler. This Ottonian renewal is generally regarded as the foundation of the Holy Roman Empire, the central political institution of medieval Central Europe that would endure in various forms until 1806, though the formal name 'Holy Roman Empire' only emerged later. It also embedded a lasting and often fraught relationship between emperor and pope at the heart of European politics.

See the world map in 2 February 962 CE →More politics & governanceThe Post-Classical / Medieval era

One piece of history in your inbox, weekly

New empires, events and features as they land — one good email a week. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Empires active in 2 February 962 CE

Related politics & governance events

Further reading

The wider story

Byzantium: The Surprising Life of a Medieval Empire

Judith Herrin

Vivid, thematic popular history by a top Byzantinist.

Get it on Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate, Human Saga earns from qualifying purchases.