died Dec. 8, 899
King of Germany.
Originally duke of Carinthia, he was elected king of the eastern Franks in 887, deposing his uncle, Charles the Fat . The western Franks, Burgundy, and Italy refused to recognize Arnulf, thus dividing the Carolingian empire. He defeated the Vikings (891), ending their raids up the Rhine River, and maintained control of Lotharingia (now Lorraine ). He invaded Italy at the urging of Pope Formosus, captured Rome (895), and was crowned emperor in 896. Illness forced him to return to Germany, however, and the previous emperor continued to rule. Arnulf's last years saw invasions by Magyars and Slavs and the collapse of his power.