Biography of czarina

When Catherine the Great pushed aside her husband to become Russia's ruling empress in 1762, much of Europe viewed the nation as a feudal, backward behemoth. During Catherine's 34-year reign, she left behind a legacy of progress and modernization—and a long string of palace lovers.

Historians credit her with expanding Russian borders to include strategic economic seaports and with Westernizing the country both politically and economically. Heavily influenced by the Enlightenment, Catherine also championed education and the arts.

Here are eight lesser-known facts about the indomitable Russian empress:

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Biography of czarina

Biography of czarina germany

Biography of czarina university

Alexandra feodorovna cause of death

How did catherine the great die

Catherine the Great’s name wasn’t Catherine, and she wasn’t even Russian.

The woman whom history would remember as Catherine the Great, Russia’s longest-ruling female leader, was actually the eldest daughter of an impoverished Prussian prince.

Born in 1729, Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst enjoyed numerous marital prospects due to her mother’s well-regarded bloodlines.

In 1744, 15-yea