Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c. 930/937 – 14 May 964), born Octavian, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 16 December 955 to his death in 964. He was related to the counts of Tusculum, a powerful Roman family which had dominated papal politics for over half a century. He became Pope somewhere between the ages of 17 and 25. If he was 17 then he may have been the youngest Pope in history; if not, that title may belong to Benedict IX, who was between the ages of 11 and 20 when elected. In 960, he clashed with the Lombards to the south. Unable to control Rome easily, he sought help from King Otto I of Germany and crowned him emperor. John XII's pontificate became infamous for the alleged depravity and worldliness with which he conducted his office.
Octavian, son of Duke Alberic II of Spoleto, elected Pope John XII
Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c. 930/937 – 14 May 964), born Octavian, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 16 December 955 to his death in 964.
Historical Significance
Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c.
Events Before
Otto I the Great gives away bishopric of Utrecht "foreestrecht"
Otto I the Great gives away bishopric of Utrecht "foreestrecht"
Otto I the Great is crowned King of Italy
King of Italy (Italian: Re d'Italia; Latin: Rex Italiae) was the title given to the ruler of the Kingdom of Italy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Otto I the Great grants Utrecht fishing rights
Otto I the Great grants Utrecht fishing rights
Ratherius becomes Bishop of Liège
Ratherius becomes Bishop of Liège
Lotharius becomes King of France
Lotharius becomes King of France
Events After
Wulfstan, Anglo-Saxon Archbishop of York (931-52) who supported Viking leaders, dies under arrest
Wulfstan, Anglo-Saxon Archbishop of York (931-52) who supported Viking leaders, dies under arrest
Erachus becomes Bishop of Liège
Erachus becomes Bishop of Liège
Edgar I, the Peaceful, becomes king of all England
Edgar (or Eadgar; c. 944 – 8 July 975), also known as Edgar the Peacemaker, the Peaceful and the Peaceable, was King of the English from 959 until his death in 975.
Coronation of Zhao Kuangyin as Emperor Taizu of the Song initiates three centuries of Song Dynasty dominance in southern
Coronation of Zhao Kuangyin as Emperor Taizu of the Song initiates three centuries of Song Dynasty dominance in southern China
German King Otto II crowned
Otto I (23 November 912 – 7 May 973), known as Otto the Great (German: Otto der Große; Italian: Ottone il Grande) or Otto of Saxony (German: Otto von Sachsen; Italian: Ottone di Sassonia), was East...
More from the 950s
Otto I the Great grants Utrecht fishing rights
Otto I the Great grants Utrecht fishing rights
Battle of Lechfeld: Otto I, King of the Germans defeats the Hungarian, ending 50 years of Magyar invasion of Western Eur
Battle of Lechfeld: Otto I, King of the Germans defeats the Hungarian, ending 50 years of Magyar invasion of Western Europe
Erachus becomes Bishop of Liège
Erachus becomes Bishop of Liège
Otto I the Great is crowned King of Italy
King of Italy (Italian: Re d'Italia; Latin: Rex Italiae) was the title given to the ruler of the Kingdom of Italy after the fall of the Western Roman Empire.
Frequently Asked Questions
- What happened on May 16, 955?
- Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c. 930/937 – 14 May 964), born Octavian, was the bishop of Rome and ruler of the Papal States from 16 December 955 to his death in 964. He was related to the counts of Tusculum, a powerful Roman family which had dominated papal politics for over half a century.
- Why is Octavian, son of Duke Alberic II of Spoleto, elected Pope John XII significant?
- Pope John XII (Latin: Ioannes XII; c.