Eberhard was the eldest son and successor of the Luitpolding duke Arnulf of Bavaria (907–937).
In 933 or 934, Eberhard, in view of his maternal Unruoching descendance, was offered the Iron Crown of Lombardy by supporters of King Rudolph II of Burgundy in the conflict with rivalling Hugh of Arles.
After Rudolph himself had renounced all claims on the Italian throne, the Bavarian duke allied with Bishop Ratherius and marched against Verona, but the campaign failed.
Duke Arnulf reached the consent of King Henry the Fowler and also made the Bavarian nobility pay homage to his son at Reichenhall in July.
[1] In two campaigns in 938, in spring and fall, Otto defeated Eberhard and banished him.