LUDOVICO III, king of Provence, Roman Emperor. — Born in 882, died on 5 July 928. He belonged to the Carolingian family, being the son of Ermengarda, daughter of Emperor Ludovico II and wife of Bosone, count of Vienne, who in 879 was made king of Provence. After Bosone’s death (887), Provence was occupied by Charles the Fat, while Ermengarda fled to Burgundy with her son L.
In 889 L. was recognized in Provence as king. When in 890 Berengario I was defeated by the Hungarians, some Italian nobles invited L., and at Pavia on 12 October 900 they acknowledged him as king; in 901 he was crowned emperor in Rome by Benedict IV. During his return journey he was threatened by Berengario I, who had rebuilt his forces, and he agreed to leave Italy, never to return. In fact, he reappeared in Italy around 905, gathered his partisans, and managed to occupy Pavia and Verona, where he was captured by Berengario, who released him only after having him blinded (21 July 905). L. returned to Provence, where he continued to reign until his death (5 July 928).