Born c. 937, Octavian was the
illegitimate son of Alberic II and was just 18 when elected to the papacy as
John XII in 955. Seven years later, Otto I helped John recover papal lands from
Berengarius II, and John crowned Otto Holy Roman Emperor. However, when Otto
proclaimed the Privilegium Ottonianum, which declared that the pope is a vassal
of the emperor, John began to plot against him. When Otto came to Rome later
that year, John took the treasury to Tivoli, where he hid from the emperor.
When John failed to appear at a synod that accused him of misconduct, Otto made
Leo VIII pope. In January of 964, John led a rebellion against Otto and the new
pope; John lost. After Otto left Rome the following month, John regained the
city and the papal throne. Otto's return ended John's papacy. John died in May,
and the cause of his death is attributed variously to a stroke or an outraged
husband.
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