OTTO (end 955-Rome 7 Dec 983, bur Rome St Peter's[274]). Regino records the birth of "Otto filius regis" at the end of 955[275]. "Ottone fratre [Machtild unica filia…patre Otto imperatore et matre Athelheida imperiatrice]" was recorded by Annalista Saxo[276]. He was elected associate King of Germany at Worms and crowned at Aachen 26 May 961. He was crowned associate Emperor 25 Dec 967 at Rome[277]. He was elected OTTO II "Rufus"[278] King of Germany at Worms early May 973, crowned at Aachen 26 May 973. His rule was challenged by the rebellions of his cousin Heinrich II "der Zänker" Duke of Bavaria in 974 and 976/78. On his accession, he claimed Byzantium's possessions in Italy as part of his wife's dowry. He left for Italy in Nov 980 to press his claims, conquered Tarento, but was defeated in 982 by a Byzantine/Muslim alliance near Stilo in Calabria[279]. His chancery adopted the title "imperator Romanorum augustus" in 982[280]. After holding court at Verona, where his son was elected associate king, Otto II left for Rome where he died of malaria[281]. The necrology of Fulda records the death "983 VII Id Dec" of "Otto imperator"[282]. m (Rome 14 Apr 972[283]) THEOPHANO, niece of Emperor IOANNES Tzimisces, daughter of --- ([955/60]-Nijmegen 15 Jun 991[284], bur Köln St Pantaleon). A document entitled Luitprandi Legatio ad Nicephorum Phocam records Luitprand's mission on behalf of Emperor Otto I to negotiate a marriage between "filiam Romani imperatoris et Theophanæ imperatricis" and "domino meo filio suo Ottoni Imperatori Augusto"[285]. Her name is not given in the document. It is unlikely, given the date of the marriage of Emperor Nikephoros Phokas and Theophano (in 963) that any daughter of theirs would have been considered marriageable in the late 960s by Emperor Otto. It is therefore likely that the document was prepared before Luitprand's visit, in ignorance of the details of the emperor's family members. The identity of the proposed bride is therefore not certain. Prior to Luitprand's arrival in Constantinople, Emperor Nikephoros was murdered. According to Thietmar, his successor Emperor Ioannes Tzimisces sent his niece Theophano back to Germany "not the desired maiden…accompanied by a splendid entourage and magnificent gifts"[286]. Western sources consistently refer to Theophano as "neptis" of Emperor Ioannes Tzimisces, for example the charter dated 14 Apr 972 under which "Otto…imperator augustus" granted property to "Theophanu, Iohannis Constantinopolitani imperatoris neptim"[287]. Her exact relationship to Emperor Ioannes Tzimisces is unknown. It is possible that she was a relative of the emperor's wife rather than of the emperor himself. Davids suggests that she was the daughter of Konstantinos Skleros and his wife Sophia[288], who was probably the sister of the first wife of Emperor Ioannes. An indication that this may be correct is that Theophano's second daughter was named Sophia, normal Byzantine practice being to name the first daughter after the paternal grandmother and the second after the maternal grandmother[289]. It also appears to be chronologically sustainable. However, too little is known about the families of Emperor Ioannes and his wife to propose this as the only plausible hypothesis, especially as the word "neptis" could cover a wide variety of relationships. In addition, it cannot even be assumed that the wife of Konstantinos Skleros was the only individual named Sophia in these families at the time. "Otto…imperator augustus" granted property to "Theophanu, Iohannis Constantinopolitani imperatoris neptim" dated 14 Apr 972[290]. Lay Abbess of Nivelles. She was regent during the minority of her son 984-991. Thietmar records the death of Empress Theophano at Nijmegen on 15 Jun and her place of burial[291]. The necrology of Merseburg records the death "15 Jun" of "Theophanu imperatrix"[292]. Emperor Otto II & his wife had five children