奥托一世在十世纪至十一世纪的历史著作中，以“仁君”形象著称，展现为对弱者的关怀、对教会事业的虔诚投入，以及宽恕反叛者的宽大胸怀。历史书写通过描绘其加冕仪式和象征性的“眼泪”道具、将奥托与古代贤君大卫相提并论、反叛者的衬托，进一步塑造了他的仁君形象。奥托采取“内柔外刚”的国家治理策略，他选择仁慈的对内统治手段是受萨克森传统、团结贵族以维护不可分割的王权及获取基督教支持的影响。史家之所以渲染奥托一世的仁君形象，既出于其基督教史观，也出于从奥托王朝关系网中获取实际利益的现实考量。他们的历史著作如实记载了奥托一世仁慈统治的不足，说明奥托一世的“仁君”形象是历史书写者在事实基础上进行艺术加工的结果。

In the historical writings from the tenth and eleventh centuries, Otto I is known for his image as a " merciful monarch", showing concern for the weak, devotion to the cause of the Church, and magnanimity in forgiving rebels. Historical writing has further shaped Otto's image as a merciful ruler by depicting his coronation and symbolic "tear" props, by comparing him to the ancient sage David, and by setting him against the rebels. This image is the result of artistic processing by history writers on the basis of facts. Otto's strategy of "softness on the inside and strength on the outside" was influenced by the Saxon tradition, the unity of the aristocracy to maintain the inalienable royal power, and the support of Christianity. The reason why historians exaggerated his image as a merciful monarch was not only influenced by Christian historical perspective，but also based on practical considerations of obtaining benefits from the Otto Dynasty's relationship network.