Pope Benedict VI
Crescentius (or Crescentius of the Marble Horse) was first mentioned as being one of the nobles who attended the Synod of Rome which deposed Pope John XII in 963, on the orders of the Holy Roman Emperor Otto I (936-73). His presence there signified that, at this point, Crescentius was aligned to the imperial party.
According to the records, he took an active hand in Roman affairs for the first time in 974. At the death of Pope John XIII (965-72), who was a brother of Crescentius, the emperor Otto I designated as his successor the Cardinal-Deacon Benedict, who took the name Benedict VI (972-74). The Romans bore the constant interference of the emperor in the papal elections with ill-concealed indignation.
About a year after the death of Otto I, when his successor Otto II (973-83) was engaged in wars at home, they rebelled against the imperial regime under the headship of Crescentius.
The unfortunate Pope Benedict VI was dethroned, thrown into the Castle of Sant' Angelo, and strangled there in July, 974.
Read more about this topic: Crescentius The Elder
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