Frederick I (Barbarossa)

Frederick I, known as Barbarossa, was a Holy Roman Emperor from 1155 until 1190. His nickname means "Red Beard" in Italian, likely referring to his distinctive facial hair. Barbarossa aimed to unify and strengthen the fragmented German states within the empire. He was known for his military campaigns in Italy to assert imperial authority and for his efforts to establish the supremacy of the emperor over the papacy. His reign marked significant political and cultural developments in medieval Europe. Barbarossa died during the Third Crusade, and his legacy continued to influence European history long after his death.