Ohio III, a German emperor, son of the preceding, born in 980, died at Paterno, near Viterbo, Jan. 23, 1002. When three years old he was crowned king of Germany, and during his minority the government was administered by his mother Theophania, his grandmother Adelaide, his aunt, and the archbishop of Mentz. During his reign Germany was the scene of constant tumults and wars. Henry, duke of Bavaria, gained possession of his person, but was forced by the other princes of the empire to restore him to his mother. In 984 Lorraine was invaded by Lothaire, king of France, who did not succeed in effecting anything. In 990 Otho went to Italy, repressed the insurrection of Crescentius, placed one of his relatives, Bruno, on the papal throne under the name of Gregory V,, and on May 21 was by him crowned emperor. After his departure Crescentius renewed his insurrection, and drove out Gregory. Otho returned in 998 and put Crescentius to death, and in 1000 made a pilgrimage to the grave of St. Adalbert, at Gnesen in Poland, and there founded an archbishopric. Visiting Italy again in 1001, he was compelled to leave Rome by the people, and shortly afterward died of fever, or according to some of poison. With him the male branch of the Saxon line became extinct.

He was succeeded by Henry II.