Matthias was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1612 until his death in 1619. He was born on February 24, 1557, and was a member of the Habsburg dynasty. Matthias ruled during a time of political and religious conflict in Europe, particularly the Thirty Years' War, which began shortly after his reign. As emperor, Matthias focused on consolidating his power and managing the diverse territories of the Holy Roman Empire. He was known for his efforts to promote religious tolerance, especially towards Protestants, although his reign was marked by challenges, including internal strife and external threats from the Ottoman Empire.