Holy Roman Empire (Noun)
Meaning
A political entity in Europe that began with the papal coronation of Otto I as the first emperor in 962 and lasted until 1806 when it was dissolved by Napoleon.
Classification
Nouns denoting groupings of people or objects.
Examples
- The Holy Roman Empire was a loose confederation of German states and cities that existed for over 800 years, playing a significant role in European politics and history.
- During its peak in the 10th and 11th centuries, the Holy Roman Empire was a dominant power in Central Europe, covering a vast territory that included modern-day Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and parts of France and Italy.
- The Holy Roman Empire was officially dissolved in 1806 by Napoleon Bonaparte, marking the end of a centuries-long era of imperial rule in Europe.
- Despite its name, the Holy Roman Empire was neither holy, nor Roman, nor an empire in the classical sense, but rather a complex system of governance that evolved over time.
- The Holy Roman Empire's complex system of governance and its relationships with the Catholic Church and other European powers have been the subject of much historical study and debate.