The tenth century was a peculiar age. It was Harald Zimmermann's Dark Century, whilst at the same time there was also the Ottonian renaissance. For part of the older German historiography, it was the beginning of the German nation. The argument that Germany originated during the reign of Henry I, while no longer treated seriously, still looms over its perception. Later, Otto I's imperial coronation in 962 was another focal point of history. From then on, Germany turned from a concern with the expansion into the East to the concern with Italian affairs.

It has been argued that before 962 sources written in the Ottonian kingdom did not show any interest in the promotion of the idea of an Empire. There are scholars who have claimed that most people did not see the importance of the imperial title and that Rome was perceived as a place of moral decay, and not a source of imperial glory. The title was strongly connected to the King of Italy, so that both were used interchangeably. In some instances in Italia was added to the imperial title.

For the early Ottonian kingdom there are four major narrative sources from the tenth century: Adalbert of Magdeburg's continuation of the chronicle of Regino of Prum, Liudprand of Cremona's Antapodosis, Widukind of Corvey's Res gestae saxonicae, and Hrotsvit of Gandersheim's Gesta Ottonis. Adalbert, Hrotsvit, and Widukind were authors of the imperial era, who composed their works after 962. This leaves Antapodosis as the only major historical text written before Otto's coronation.

In my opinion, Liudprand meant to show the Liudolfings as the most powerful rulers of what he called Europe, both in terms of military strength but also in the expression of their dominance over other kingdoms. The chronicler explains that he wanted to write the history of the kings and princes of all Europe. But ‘Europe’ here should be understood not as a geographical term, but as a metaphor for an Empire. Liudprand followed the Carolingian authors, for whom Europe was identified with the lands ruled by Charlemagne. Therefore, in Antapodosis, kingdoms outside his regions of interest were ignored. He concentrated on Italy, Germany, and Byzantium, which were to constitute his Europe – the Empire.