The chronicle of the historian and bishop Thietmar of Merseburg (975-1018) is the outstanding source for the history of the empire under Otto III and Heinrich II (up to 1018). It is indispensable for understanding Ottonian border policy, the events in the German-Slavic border area, and Slavic prehistory, and with its wealth of detail, it is a true treasure trove of cultural history. With its unusual blend of political and religious perspectives, it provides a vivid picture of the life, beliefs, thoughts, and feelings of the time around the year 1000, down to the smallest details.