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Theophanu (German pronunciation: [te.o.fa.ˈnuː]; also Theophania, Theophana, or Theophano; Medieval Greek Θεοφανώ; [1] c. AD 955 – 15 June 991) was empress of the Holy Roman Empire by marriage to Emperor Otto II, and regent of the Empire during the minority of their son, Emperor Otto III, from 983 until her death in 991.
As one of the most celebrated, but still enigmatic, images of an imperial couple, this relief depicts Christ conferring divine benediction upon the German emperor Otto II (r. 973-83) and his wife, Theophano.
Otto II was the German king from 961 and Holy Roman emperor from 967, sole ruler from 973, son of Otto I and his second wife, Adelaide. Otto, a cultivated man, continued his father’s policies of promoting a strong monarchy in Germany and of extending the influence of his house in Italy.
- The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Born around 955 or 956 in Constantinople; died on June 15, 991; daughter of Romanus II, Byzantine emperor (r. 959–963), and Theophano (c. 940–?); sister of Constantine VIII (r. 1025–1028) and Basil II (r. 976–1025), both Byzantine emperors, and Anna of Byzantium (963–1011); married Otto II (955–983), Holy Roman emperor (r. 973–983 ...
Mar 4, 2015 · The Empress Theophanu, wife of Otto II and regent for her son Otto III, was by all accounts a woman skilled at maneuvering through the complicated world of Ottonian politics.
- Laura Wangerin
- 2014
In relation to the other members of his dynasty, Otto II was the grandson of Henry I, son of Otto I, father of Otto III, and a first-cousin once removed to Henry II. Otto II had only one known wife. On 14 April 972, Otto II married Theophanu , [ 31 ] a Byzantine princess of the Phokas family who was the cousin of reigning Byzantine Emperor John ...
Dec 1, 1991 · On the death of Otto the Great, Theophano’s husband was crowned Otto II by Pope John XIII and she received the title of co-imperatrix. But it was mainly after his brief reign when she became regent for their son, Otto III, then aged three, that Theophano made her main contribution to her age.
