Count Emicho was said to be influenced into action by a divine vision. In the vision an apostle is giving Emicho a crown in “’Italian Greece’” and promising him “victory over his foes.” This vision is a grave reference to “The Last Roman Emperor", which is the legend of a man surrendering his “earthly power to God” and being given the power to destroy the enemies of Christians, mercilessly. In the legend the purpose of the "Last Roman Emperor" is to restore God's power in the Holy Land. To restore God's power the chosen one, the one granted the vision, is expected to kill or convert those who oppose Christianity. By having such a divine vision, those who knew of Count Emicho and believed in his vision interpreted him as the main leader of the Rhineland Massacres.