Theophanu
regent empress of the Holy Roman Empire
b. 960 · d. 15 Jun 991
Theophanu Skleraina 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. She 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. Her official titles contained 'consors imperii', which her stepmother Adelaide of Italy already received and 'comperatrix augusta', which was modeled after the Byzantine position of the empress to ensure succession and regencies.
Related people
- Otto III parent of · traditional
- Adelaide I parent of · traditional
- Matilda of Germany, Countess Palatine of Lotharingia parent of · traditional
- Sophia I parent of · traditional
- Otto II spouse of · traditional
Places
- Constantinople birth
- St. Pantaleon's Church burial
- Nijmegen death
How we know
Recorded as a historical figure.