Phantom Time Hypothesis

The Phantom Time Hypothesis is a conspiracy theory introduced to the public by German journalist Heribert Illig and historian Dr. Hans-Ulrich Niemitz in 1991. The theory posits that a joint conspiracy between Holy Roman Emperor Otto III, Pope Sylvester II and the Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII fabricated the Anno Domini (A.D.) dating system in order to place their reign at exactly 1000 A.D. Illig's theory also asserts that this conspiracy, which would have required extensive forgeries of documentary and physical evidence, also led to the fabrication of an entire period of the Early Middle Ages. The Phantom Time Hypothesis, thus asserts that world rulers faked the historical period between 600 A.D. and 900 A.D. in order to place their reign at a more auspicious time in history.