As the archbishop of Milan from 1277-1294, Ottone wrested control over Milan from its previous rulers before skillfully maneuvering his nephew Matteo I Visconti into a position of power. Matteo il Magno (roughly translated to mean ‘the Great’) ruled from 1294-1302 and then again from 1311-1322, preceding Galeazzo's rule. Matteo notably achieved control over Pavia, Vercelli, Novara and Como. Though he was temporarily ousted from power by a rebellion, Matteo later received the position of imperial vicar general during his second period of rule.< Holy Roman Emperor Louis IV then eventually appointed Matteo as Lord of Milan, thirty years after he first obtained a position in the secular government. In this way, Matteo aided in establishing an enduring lordship over Milan; this moment in time significantly contributed to the hereditary quality of Visconti power. Yet regardless of his achievements, Matteo later died a condemned heretic.