Crescentius the Younger

Crescentius I. Nomentanus († April 29 998 in Rome ), sometimes incorrectly as John I. Crescentius Nomentanus, sometimes referred to as Crescentius II, influential Roman patrician and opponent was Emperor Otto III. He was involved in the overthrow of Pope John XIV 984, which Pope Boniface was reinstated.

He was the son of Crescentius de Theodora and Sergia. His brother was John I. Crescentius. He was married to Stephania. From this marriage was a son, John II Crescentius forth.

He was - under Pope John XV. ( in Rome the real rulers ) - leader of the rebellion against the Emperor. After Emperor Otto in Rome his cousin Brun ( o) of Carinthia was selected as Gregory V. Pope, both sat on Crescentius to court. He was sentenced to death, but pardoned by the new Pope. Then Crescentius obeyed the Emperor allegiance. When Otto III. 997 left Rome, Crescentius broke I. Nomentanus again worked his oath of allegiance and chose with the help of the Byzantines the Calabrian John Philagathos Antipope John XVI. Without the presence and thus without the protection of the Emperor Gregor V. had to flee to Spoleto. With the support of Otto, however, he returned 998 back.

After the storming of the Castel Sant'Angelo Crescentius was captured and sentenced to death for perjury. He was taken to the highest tower of Castel Sant'Angelo and beheaded in front of the cheering crowd. His body was brought down from the walls and ultimately suspended with his feet up on a gallows on Monte Mario.