All that Otto could show, to balance his six years' neglect of his own land and people, was the title of "the Great," which the Italians bestowed upon him, and a Princess of Constantinople, who spoke Greek and looked upon the Germans as barbarians, for his daughter-in-law. His return was celebrated by a grand festival held at Quedlinburg, at Easter, 973. All the Dukes and reigning Counts of the Empire were present, the kings of Bohemia and Poland, ambassadors from Constantinople, from the Caliph of Cordova, in Spain, from Bulgaria, Russia, Denmark and Hungary. Even Charlemagne never enjoyed such a triumph; but in the midst of the festivities, Otto's first friend and supporter, Hermann Billung, whom he had made Duke of Saxony, suddenly died. The Emperor became impressed with the idea that his own end was near: he retired to Memleben in Thuringia, where his father died, and on the 6th of May was stricken with apoplexy, at the age of sixty-one. He died, seated in his chair and surrounded by his princely guests, and was buried in Magdeburg, by the side of his first wife, Editha of England. Otto completed the work which Henry commenced, and left Germany the first power in Europe. Had his mind been as clear and impartial, his plans as broad and intelligent, as Charlemagne's, he might have laid the basis of a permanent Empire; but, in an evil hour, he called the phantom of the sceptre of the world from the grave of Roman power, and, believing that he held it, turned the ages that were to follow him into the path of war, disunion and misery. CHAPTER XIV. THE DECLINE OF THE SAXON DYNASTY. (973--1024.) Otto II., "The Red." --Conquest of Bavaria. --Invasion of Lothar of France. --Otto's March to Paris. --His Journey to Italy. --His Defeat by the Saracens, and Escape. --Diet at Verona. --Otto's Death. --Theophania as Regent. --Alienation of France. --Otto III. --His Dealings with the Popes. --Negotiations with the Poles. --His Fantastic Actions. --His Death in Rome. --Youthful Popes. --Henry of Bavaria chosen by the Germans. --His character. --War with Poland. --March to Italy, and Coronation. --Other Wars. --Henry repels the Byzantines. --His Death. --The Character of his Reign. --His Piety. [Sidenote: 973.]