European civilization has become stable and prosperous under the aegis of the Christian church, through whose network of abbeys a new artistic order is established and spread.

The Ottonian Renaissance is a limited renaissance that accompanies the reigns of the first three emperors of the Saxon Dynasty, all named Otto: Otto I (936–973), Otto II (973–983), and Otto III (983–1002), and which in large part depends upon their patronage.

The Ottonian Renaissance begins after Otto's marriage to Adelaide unites the kingdoms of Italy and Germany in 952, thus bringing the West closer to Constantinople and furthering the cause of Christian (political) unity in 963 with his imperial coronation.

The period is sometimes extended to cover the reign of Henry II as well, and, rarely, the Salian dynasts.

The term is generally confined to Imperial court culture conducted in Latin in Germany.

The Ottonian Renaissance is recognized especially in the arts and architecture, invigorated by renewed contact with Constantinople, in some revived cathedral schools, such as that of Bruno of Cologne, in the production of illuminated manuscripts from a handful of elite scriptoria, such as Quedlinburg, founded in 936 by Otto, and in political ideology.

The Imperial court becomes the center of religious and spiritual life, led by the example of women of the royal family: Matilda of Ringelheim, the literate mother of Otto I, or his sister Gerberga of Saxony, or his consort Adelaide, or Empress Theophano.