Frederick Barbarossa (d. 1190)

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Biography

The Holy Roman Emperor, originally and officially the Emperor of the Romans during the Middle Ages, and also known as the Roman-German Emperor since the early modern period, was the ruler and head of state of the Holy Roman Empire. The title was held in conjunction with the title of King of Italy from the 8th to the 16th century, and, almost without interruption, with the title of King of Germany throughout the 12th to 18th centuries.

In Their Own Words (1)

An Emperor is subject to no one but God and Justice.

Attributed in Julius Wilhelm Zincgref, Apophthegmata, bk. 1 (Strasbourg: Rihel, 1628) p. 32. Translated in Bartlett's Familiar Quotations, 14th ed. (1968) p. 155 , 1968

Timeline

The story of Frederick Barbarossa, told in moments.

1122 Birth

Born into the Hohenstaufen dynasty, probably in Swabia. His nickname "Barbarossa" came from his red beard. The Italians gave it to him. Not as a compliment.

Did the Italians mean 'Barbarossa' as an insult? What was it like growing up Hohenstaufen?

1155 Event

Crowned Holy Roman Emperor by Pope Adrian IV. The ceremony nearly fell apart because Frederick initially refused to hold the Pope's stirrup. He gave in.

Was refusing to hold the Pope's stirrup about pride or principle? What did the crown feel like?

1162 Event

Destroyed Milan. Razed the city walls and salted the ground around them. The Milanese had defied his authority one time too many.

Do you regret destroying Milan? Was it necessary or excessive?

1176 Event

Defeated at the Battle of Legnano by the Lombard League. Italian city-states proved that organized infantry could beat imperial cavalry. Frederick had to negotiate.

What did losing at Legnano teach you about power? Did infantry beating your cavalry change how you thought about war?

1190 Death

Drowned crossing the Saleph River in Anatolia during the Third Crusade. He was 67, in full armor, on horseback. His army fell apart without him.

Were you afraid crossing that river in full armor? Is there a worse way for an emperor to die?

Artifacts (1)

The Emperor Frederick Barbarossa Submitting to Pope Alexander III in the Presence of a Doge

Pietro Malombra

1556–1618 · Black, gray, red, brown, and yellow chalk, on faded blue paper

The Met View

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