Theophanu (960 – June 15, 991) (Greek: Θεοφανώ Σκλήραινα, Theophano Skleraina), also spelled Theophania, Theophana or Theophano, was born in Constantinople, and was the wife of Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor.
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Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor had requested a Byzantine princess for his son, Otto, to seal a treaty between the Holy Roman Empire and the Eastern Roman Empire. The unwise reference by the pope to the Nikephoros II Phokas, the ruler in Constantinople, as "Greek" in a letter while Otto's ambassador, Liudprand of Cremona, was in the Byzantine court, had destroyed the first round of negotiations. With the ascension of a new emperor who had not been personally referred to other than as Roman Emperor, the treaty negotiations were able to resume. Theophanu duly arrived in grand style in 972, with a magnificent escort and bearing great treasure. However, according to the chronicler Thietmar, she was not the virgo desiderata, the anticipated imperial princess. Theophanu is identified in the marriage contract as the neptis (niece or granddaughter) of Emperor John I Tzimiskes. Theophanu was nevertheless of distinguished noble heritage: recent research has established her as the daughter of Sophia Phokaina, Tzimiskes' cousin and niece of Nikephoros II, and of Tzimiskes' brother-in-law (from his first marriage) Constantine Skleros.[1][2]
Theophanu and Otto were married by Pope John XIII on April 14, 972 at Saint Peter's and she was crowned empress the same day in Rome. Their children were:
Theophanu accompanied her husband on all his journeys, and issued diplomas in her own name as Empress. It is known that she was frequently at odds with her mother-in-law, Adelaide of Italy, and this caused an estrangement between Otto II and Adelaide. According to Odilo, Abbot of Cluny, Adelaide was very happy when "that Greek woman" died.
Albert of Metz describes Theophanu as being an unpleasant and talkative woman. Theophanu was also criticized for her decadence, which manifested in her bathing once a day and introducing luxurious garments and jewelry into Germany. She is credited with introducing the fork to Western Europe - chronographers mention the astonishment she caused when she "used a golden double prong to bring food to her mouth" instead of using her hands as was the norm." 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.
Otto II died suddenly on December 7, 983, and was buried in Rome. That Christmas Theophanu had their three-year-old son crowned as Otto III, with herself ruling as Empress Regent on his behalf. Henry II, Duke of Bavaria seized Otto in spring 984, but was forced to surrender the child to his mother. With the cooperation of Willigis, Archbishop of Mainz, and Hildebald, Bishop of Worms, Theophanu reigned until her death in 991.
She was buried in the Church of St. Pantaleon at Cologne. The chronicler Thietmar eulogized her as follows: "Though [Theophanu] was of the weak sex she possessed moderation, trustworthiness, and good manners. In this way she protected with male vigilance the royal power for her son, friendly with all those who were honest, but with terrifying superiority against rebels."
Because Otto III was still a child, his grandmother Adelaide of Italy took over the regency until Otto III became old enough to rule on his own.
| Royal titles | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Adelaide of Italy |
Queen consort of Germany 972–983 |
Succeeded by Cunigunde of Luxembourg |
| Empress consort of the Holy Roman Empire 972–983 |
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