Rudolf II was the Holy Roman Emperor from 1576 to 1612. He was born on July 18, 1552, in Vienna and was a member of the Habsburg dynasty. Rudolf is known for his patronage of the arts and sciences, which attracted many notable figures, including the astronomer Tycho Brahe and the alchemist John Dee. His reign was marked by political instability and religious conflicts, particularly during the Thirty Years' War. Rudolf's interest in the occult and mysticism led him to support various esoteric studies, which were popular during the Renaissance. However, his focus on these interests often distracted him from governance, leading to tensions with his family and subjects. Ultimately, Rudolf's reign ended with his deposition in 1611, and he died in 1612.