Marozia

Marozia, a Roman lady of noble birth, but of infamous reputation in the scandalous chronicles of her age, daughter of the equally notorious Theodora, was born in the close of the 9th century. As the mistress of Pope Sergius III., and mother and grandmother of three popes (John XI., John XII., and Leo VII.), she exercised the greatest influence on the political affairs of her time in Italy. She was married three times, and, if we may credit the narrative of Luitprand, had skill and address enough to procure the deposition and death of Pope John X., and subsequently the elevation of her son as John XI. Marozia's later years brought on her the punishment of her crimes. She died in prison at Rome in 938.