Marozia

The Columbia Encyclopedia, 6th ed. | 2011 | 700+ words | Copyright

Marozia , c.892–c.937, Italian noblewoman. Daughter of the Roman consul Theophylact and his wife Theodora, Marozia was strongly influenced by her mother who controlled Roman politics and the papacy in what has been called the "pornocracy." The mistress of Pope Sergius III (904–11), Marozia married, in succession, Albert I of Spoleto (d. 926), Guido of Tuscany (d. 929), and Hugh of Provence, to help maintain her political control. Marozia received the titles "senatrix" and "patricia" from Pope John X (914–28); she nevertheless had him put to death in 928 in order to install her favorite candidates in papal office (including one of her sons as Pope John XI; 931–35). In 932, Marozia was overthrown by Albert II of Spoleto, a son of her first marriage, who had her imprisoned until her death.

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