Eugene III was renowned for his "innocence and simplicity;" after his predecessor's violent death, some would say only a fool would take the job. Despite that simplicity, Eugene managed to string together eight relatively peaceful years on the seat, mostly by staying the heck out of Rome. While the Romans always acknowledged the Pope's spiritual authority, they were fighting against any temporal and political power that threatened their new constitution as a Republic. Eugene spent his time in France and Germany, mostly, and in parts of Italy a safe distance from Rome. He died in 1153.