ABSTRACT
The new Holy Roman Empire that he created brought Germany into close contact with the medieval papacy. In 953 even Otto's own son, Liudolf, revolted but was forced to surrender the following year. The remaining decade of Otto's life was occupied mainly by efforts to consolidate the empire and obtain recognition for it from the powerful Byzantine emperor in Constantinople. A series of minor military clashes between the two Christian powers was settled in 972 when Otto's son Otto II married a Byzantine princess. The civil wars of Otto's time led his successors to favor bishops rather than dukes in administering the realm. This offered the German bishops more influence in state affairs, but it also assigned the emperors a greater role in investing them with their office. Emperors were expected to serve the interests of the German princes, but many such as Frederick I followed Otto's example by pursuing conquests in Italy.
