19 Facts About Theophanu

Theophanu was the niece of the Byzantine Emperor John I Tzimiskes.

Theophanu was known to be a forceful and capable ruler, and her status in the history of the Empire was in many ways exceptional.

Theophanu was not born in the purple as the Ottonians would have preferred.

Theophanu was escorted back to Rome for her wedding by a delegation of German and Italian churchmen and nobles.

Theophanu's advisors believed that Theophanu's relation to the usurper John Tzimiskes would invalidate the marriage as a confirmation of Otto I as Holy Roman Emperor.

Theophanu was persuaded to allow her to stay when it was pointed out that John Tzimiskes had wed Theodora, a member of the Macedonian dynasty and sister to Emperor Romanos II.

The young Theophanu showed diplomatic skills and displayed herself as an active partner in political negotiations.

The Benedictine chronicler Alpert of Metz describes Theophanu as being an unpleasant and chattery woman.

Theophanu was criticized for having introduced new luxurious garments and jewelry into France and Germany.

The theologian Peter Damian even asserts that Theophanu had a love affair with John Philagathos, a Greek monk who briefly reigned as Antipope John XVI.

At Christmas, Theophanu had him crowned by the Mainz archbishop Willigis at Aachen Cathedral, with herself ruling as Empress Regent on his behalf.

Duke Henry allied with Archbishop Warin of Cologne and seized his nephew Otto III in spring 984, while Theophanu was still in Italy in the royal palace of Pavia.

Theophanu did not remain merely as an image of the Ottonian empire, but as an influence within the Holy Roman Empire.

Theophanu's first act as regent was in securing her son, Otto III, as the heir to the Holy Roman Empire.

Theophanu placed her daughters in power by giving them high positions in influential nunneries all around the Ottonian-ruled west, securing power for all her children.

Theophanu welcomed ambassadors, declaring herself "imperator" or "imperatrix", as did her relative contemporaries Irene of Athens and Theodora; the starting date for her reign being 972, the year of her marriage to the late Otto II.

Theophanu adopted the Byzantine model of relations between the emperor and patriarch in her relations to the pope.

Theophanu introduced Byzantine protocol, "which influenced dress, crowns and jewelry, eating habits and utensils, even furniture".

Theophanu has always attracted considerable controversy from chroniclers and historiographers.