Stelle LXXV. Igitur imperator, audita mort...; (Rerum gestarum Saxonicarum libri tres (967 - 973), Lib. 3, Cap. 75 (p. 151, lin. 21)) [2598]

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ID 2598
Text Rerum gestarum Saxonicarum libri tres (967 - 973) Widukind of Corvey
Quotation LXXV. Igitur imperator, audita morte matris et filii caeterorumque principalium virorum - nam et Gero, vir magnus et potens, iam antea defunctus est -, iudicavit ab expeditione Fraxanetis abstinere et dispositis in Italia rebus patriam remeare. Pulsavit quoque fama eum, quasi plerique Saxonum rebellare voluissent; quod quia inutile erat, nec relatione dignum arbitramur. Egressus est itaque de Italia cum magna gloria, capto rege Longobardorum, superatis Graecis victisque Sarracenis, cum victricibus alis Galliam ingressus est, inde Germaniam transiturus et proximum pascha loco celebri Quidilingaburg celebraturus; ubi diversarum gentium multitudo conveniens, restitutum patriae cum filio cum magno gaudio celebrabant. Manens autem ibi decem et septem non amplius diebus, descendit inde, ascensionem Domini apud Mesburg celebraturus. [...] Inclinantem autem caput, quasi iam defecisset, refocillaverunt; expetitoque sacramento divini corporis ac sanguinis et accepto, sine gemitu cum magna tranquillitate ultimum spiritum cum divinis officiis pietati creatoris omnium tradidit. Transportatur inde in cubiculum; et cum esset iam sero, nuntiatur populo mors eius. Populus autem pro eius laude et gratiarum actione multa locutus memoravit eum paterna subiectos rexisse pietate, ab hostibus eos liberasse, superbos hostes Avares, Sarracenos, Danos, Sclavos armis vicisse, Italiam subiugasse, delubra deorum in vicinis gentibus destruxisse, templa ministrorumque ordines constituisse; multaque alia bona invicem conferentes regali funeri insistebant. LXXVI. Mane autem iam facto, licet iam olim unctus esset in regem et a beato apostolico designatus in imperatorem, spei unicae totius ecclesiae, imperatoris filio, ut initio certatim manus dabant, fidem pollicentes et operam suam contra omnes adversarios sacramentis militaribus confirmantes. Igitur ab integro ab omni populo electus in principem transtulit corpus patris in civitatem, quam ipse magnifice construxit, vocabulo Magathaburg. Itaque defunctus est Nonis Maii, quarta feria ante pentecosten, imperator Romanorum, rex gentium, divinarum humanarumque rerum multa ac gloriosa saeculis relinquens monimenta.
Translation When the emperor heard about the death of his mother and his son, and of the other important men, for Gero, that great and powerful man had already died, he decided to break off his campaign against Frainet. Then, after putting affairs in Italy in order, he returned to his fatherland. He was agitated by a report that many of the Saxons wished to rebel. But since it would not serve any purpose, we do not believe it is worthwhile to discuss this further. So he departed from Italy with great glory, having captured the king of the Lombards, overcome the Greeks, and defeated the Saracens. He entered Gaul with his victorious forces, and then crossed into Germany where he would celebrate the coming Easter in that famous place, Quedlinburg. A great multitude of diverse peoples gathered there, and celebrated with great joy the return of the father along with his son. Remaining there for not longer than seventeen days, he then departed to celebrate the Ascension of the Lord at Merseburg. ... His head was drooping as if he were already dead, but they revived him. After he sought and received the sacrament of the divine body and blood, he gave over his final breath to the mercy of the creator of all things, without a groan and at peace, to the sounds of the divine office. He was carried into his bed chamber. Although it was now late, his death was announced to the people. The people said a great deal in praise of him and remembered that he had governed his subjects with paternal mercy, and had freed them from their enemies. He had conquered with arms his arrogant enemies, namely the Avars, Saracens, and Danes. He had subjugated Italy. He had destroyed the shrines to the gods among the neighboring peoples. He established churches and orders of priests. They recalled many other good things, as they participated in the royal funeral. 36. When morning came, although he had already been anointed as king, and designated as emperor by the pope, they eagerly gave their hands to the son of the emperor, the unique hope of the entire church, as they had done before, promised their loyalty and support against all of his adversaries, and confirmed this with military oaths.259 Thus, he was elected anew by the entire people as their ruler. He transferred his father’s body to the city, which the father, himself, had built, called Magdeburg. So died the emperor of the Romans, the king of peoples, on the seventh of May, the Wednesday before Pentecost. He left behind for posterity a great many glorious monuments in both religious and secular affairs. (Trans. Bacharach, pp. 151-2)
Quotation source Lib. 3, Cap. 75 (p. 151, lin. 21)
Temporal Coverage 973 - 973
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