HISTORY AND ETHNOLOGY. 69 



without subjecting himself to the clergy. lie was, in short, a most 

 excellent prince. He died in the year 936. 



His son, Otto I., succeeded him, and ruled until 973. He too had to 

 war against the Hungarians, and was successful. Nearly one half of his 

 reio-n was disturbed by civil wars. Eberard, brother of Conrad I., and 

 other Franconian princes, Giselbert, duke of Lorraine, and the son of 

 Arnulph the Wicked, of Bavaria, conspired repeatedly against his govern- 

 ment. His own brothers, also, and even his son Ludolf, and his son-in-law 

 Conrad, rebelled. Yet his energy, skill, and good fortune, finally overcame 

 all these conspiracies. He was equally victorious in his contests with the 

 "Wends, Danes, and French. But his most brilliant and important 

 achievements were in Italy. Berengar H., having wrested from Lothaire, 

 the son of Hugh, one half of that kingdom, at the death of Lothaire, 

 950 A.D., claimed the remainder, and was recognised king of Italy. To 

 confirm his title, he endeavored to marry his son Adalbert to Adelaide, 

 widow of Lothaire, and failing in his negotiations, had recourse to force. 

 In her distress Adelaide invoked the assistance of Otto, who flew to her 

 rescue, and married her himself Berengar was reduced to vassalage, and 

 was permitted to govern Italy as a fief. His faithlessness and tyranny 

 exasperated all classes of society against him, and the people, princes, 

 priesthood, and pope, with one voice, again called Otto to their relief. 

 The latter a second time proceeded to Rome, defeated Berengar, and 

 banished him to Bamberg, 960 A.D. The iron crown of Lombardy was 

 placed upon his head, and soon after he received from Pope John XII. the 

 golden imperial crown, 962 A.D. 



Otto had not long departed from Kome, before the same pope who had 

 crowmed him treacherously planned rebellion against him, and incited the 

 people to resist his authority. Hearing of this treachery. Otto hastened back 

 to Rome, and promptly suppressed the movement. At a general synod he 

 caused the deposition of Pope John XIL, and the election of Leo YIII. in 

 his place. Otto was obliged to visit Pome twice more to quell sedition, 

 but the severity with which he found it necessary to punish crime 

 increased the popular animosity. He died in 973. 



His younger son. Otto II., was highly talented, but lacked firmness and 

 moral principle. He ruled from 973 to 983. He won no glory in his battles 

 with France. He tried to wrest Lower Italy from the Greeks and their allies, 

 the Arabians, but lost the battle of Basantello, and died soon atter, 983. 



Otto HI. inherited the troubles which had harassed his father. He 

 intended to transfer the seat of government to Italy ; but he met his death 

 there, and it is believed by poison, in the year 1002. 



As Otto HI. died without issue, the throne of Germany was open 

 for a while to dispute ; but the succession was settled upon Henry, duke 

 of Bavaria. His election met with strong opposition in Italy, especially 

 from the margrave Ardoin ; but Henry at last overcame all obstacles. He 

 died 1024 A.D., and with him ended the Saxon dynasty. 



For the selection of a new monarch, the spiritual and temporal princes 

 of the German nation assembled in council, between Mayence and Worms. 



ICONOGRAPHIC ENCYCLOPEDIA. VOL. IH. 16 241 



