1 final years
1.1 return rome
1.2 death
1.3 succession crisis
final years
return rome
italy around 1000, shortly before otto iii s death in 1002
the emperor spent remainder of 1000 in italy without notable activities. in 1001, people of italian city of tibur revolted against imperial authority. otto iii besieged city , put down revolt ease, sparing inhabitants. action angered people of rome, viewed tibur rival , wanted city destroyed. in change of policy towards papacy, otto iii bestowed governance of city upon pope sylvester ii part of papal states under overlordship of holy roman empire. previously, otto iii had revoked pope s rights secular ruler denying donation of constantine , amending diploma ottonianum.
in weeks after otto iii s actions @ tibur, roman people rebelled against emperor, led count gregory of tusculum. rebellious citizens besieged otto iii in palace on palatine hill , drove him city. accompanied bishop bernward of hildesheim , german chronicler thangmar, otto iii returned city conduct peace negotiations rebellious romans. though both sides agreed peaceful settlement romans respecting otto iii s rule on city, feelings of mistrust characterized city. otto iii s advisors urged emperor wait outside city until military reinforcements arrive ensure safety.
otto iii, accompanied pope sylvester ii, traveled ravenna penance in monastery of sant apollinare in classe , summon army. while in ravenna, otto iii received ambassadors duke boleslaw of poland , approved plans of king stephen of hungary establish archdiocese of esztergom in order convert hungary christianity. otto iii strengthened relations venetian doge, pietro ii orseolo. since 996, emperor had been godfather pietro ii s son, otto orseolo, , in 1001 emperor arranged pietro ii s daughter baptized.
death
after summoning army in late 1001, otto iii headed south rome ensure rule on city. during travel south, however, otto iii suffered sudden , severe fever. died in castle near civita castellana on 24 january 1002. 21 years old , had reigned independent ruler under 6 years, having nominally reigned 19 years. byzantine princess zoe, second daughter of emperor constantine viii, had disembarked in apulia on way marry him. otto iii s death has been attributed various causes. medieval sources speak of malaria, had caught in unhealthy marshes surrounded ravenna. following death, roman people suggested stefania, widow of crescentius ii, had made otto iii fall in love , poisoned him.
the emperor s body carried germany soldiers, route lined italians hurled abuses @ remains. buried in aachen cathedral alongside body of charlemagne.
succession crisis
otto iii, having never married, died without issue, leaving empire without clear successor. funeral procession moved through duchy of bavaria in february 1002, otto iii s cousin henry ii, son of henry quarrelsome, , new duke of bavaria, asked bishops , nobles elect him new king of germany. exception of bishop of augsburg, henry ii received no support claims. @ otto iii s funeral on easter 1002, in aachen, german nobles repeated opposition henry ii. several rival candidates throne -- count ezzo of lotharingia, margrave eckard of meissen, , duke herman ii of swabia—strongly contested succession of henry ii.
without emperor on throne, italy began break away german control. on 15 february 1002, lombard margrave of ivrea arduin, opponent of ottonian dynasty, elected king of italy in pavia.
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