What was the significance of the term 'holy' when applied to the Roman Emperor?

Answer 1

ancient Rome had Emperors. During the Middle Ages, the King of the Germans was also crowned Emperor of the Romans by the Pope. As the Pope acted with God's authority, this attached the claim of being crowned by God to the emperors. Hence, the word 'Holy'. The men who bore this title ruled the Holy Roman Empire, eventually. The title also carrieds connotations of the Holy Roman Church, and meant that the two instutions, Empire and Church, were closely entwined.