--- title: Map of the Holy Roman Empire under Otto the Great c. 972 author: Simeon Netchev source: https://www.worldhistory.org/image/16428/map-of-the-holy-roman-empire-under-otto-the-great/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0) updated: 2025-08-20 --- # Map of the Holy Roman Empire under Otto the Great c. 972 _Authored by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/)_ ## Image File [![Map of the Holy Roman Empire under Otto the Great c. 972](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16428.png)](https://www.worldhistory.org/uploads/images/16428.png) ## Image Caption This map illustrates the emergence of the [Holy Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Holy_Roman_Empire/) in the mid-10th century, following the final division of the Eastern and Western Frankish realms in the late 9th century. Under Otto I (r. as German king 936–973; crowned Holy [Roman Emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Emperor/) 962–973), the [empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/empire/) took shape as a loosely integrated union of German states and [cities](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/), bound together by tradition, personal loyalties, mutual obligations, and the suppression of rebellious vassals. Otto extended the German kingdom eastward, made Bohemia a tributary state, assumed the title of King of the [Lombards](https://www.worldhistory.org/Lombards/) in [Italy](https://www.worldhistory.org/italy/), and exerted influence from Denmark to Burgundy. A skilled military leader, Otto decisively defeated the Magyars at the [Battle](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/battle/) of Lechfeld (955), securing the empire’s eastern frontier. Crowned Imperator [Augustus](https://www.worldhistory.org/augustus/) in [Rome](https://www.worldhistory.org/Rome/) in 962, he twice deposed popes who opposed him and systematically used the church both as a political tool and as a stabilizing force within his realm. His reign marked the consolidation of the German kingdom and the revival of the imperial title in Western [Europe](https://www.worldhistory.org/europe/), laying the foundations for the Holy [Roman Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Roman_Empire/)’s role in medieval politics. #### Editorial Review This human-authored image has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## About the Author Simeon is a freelance visual designer and history educator, passionate about the human stories that shape the past. - [Linkedin Profile](https://www.linkedin.com/in/simeon-netchev/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Netchev, S. (2022, September 26). Map of the Holy Roman Empire under Otto the Great c. 972. *World History Encyclopedia*. ### Chicago Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Holy Roman Empire under Otto the Great c. 972." *World History Encyclopedia*, September 26, 2022. . ### MLA Netchev, Simeon. "Map of the Holy Roman Empire under Otto the Great c. 972." *World History Encyclopedia*, 26 Sep 2022, . ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Simeon Netchev](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/simeonnetchev/ "User Page: Simeon Netchev"), published on 26 September 2022. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivs](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0deed.en). This licence only allows others to download this content and share it with others as long as the author is credited, but they can't change the content in any way or use it commercially. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. Please note that content linked from this page may have different licensing terms.