Catherine the Great transformed Russia from a medieval kingdom into a modern European superpower. Although she ruled as the Empress of Russia for thirty-four years, she actually possessed no Russian blood at all. She seized power through a dramatic coup and spent her reign expanding the empire's borders, collecting art, and corresponding with the greatest minds of the Enlightenment. Furthermore, her legacy often suffers from scandalous rumors that overshadow her political brilliance. Prepare to enter the court of the most powerful woman in Russian history.
Catherine the Great
Surprisingly, Catherine the Great was not Russian, but German. She was born Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst in 1729. Upon marrying the future Emperor Peter III, she converted to the Russian Orthodox faith and changed her name to Catherine to please her new subjects.
She took power by overthrowing her own husband. Just six months after Peter III ascended the throne, Catherine the Great conspired with the military to force his abdication. Consequently, she declared herself the sole ruler of Russia, and Peter died under mysterious circumstances shortly after.
Brave doctors inoculated her against smallpox to set an example for her people. At a time when many feared the procedure, she invited a Scottish doctor to infect her with a mild dose of the virus. Thus, she proved the safety of the vaccination and encouraged her subjects to follow suit.
She founded the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. Her insatiable passion for art led her to acquire massive collections from across Europe. Today, the museum holds over three million items, many of which she originally purchased personally.
She exchanged letters with famous French philosophers like Voltaire and Diderot. She wanted to be seen as an “Enlightened Despot” who ruled with reason and intellect. Therefore, she financially supported Diderot by buying his library and allowing him to keep the books until his death.
Legends claim her lover Prince Potemkin built fake villages to impress her. The term “Potemkin Village” refers to false facades constructed to make a region look prosperous during her tour of Crimea. However, modern historians argue that these settlements were likely real efforts at development rather than pure deception.
She established the first state-financed school for women in Russia. The Smolny Institute for Noble Maidens provided education for girls from wealthy families. Consequently, this move marked a significant step forward for female education in the country.
Catherine the Great expanded the Russian Empire by roughly 200,000 square miles. Her armies conquered Crimea, Belarus, and Lithuania, securing vital access to the Black Sea. This expansion allowed Russia to dominate trade routes and assert itself as a major naval power.
She consumed strong coffee every morning to start her day. Reports suggest she drank five cups of coffee daily, prepared so strongly that it took a pound of beans to make a single pot. This intense caffeine habit likely fueled her legendary work ethic.
Her son Paul hated her because she took the throne that he felt belonged to him. Catherine the Great considered her son incompetent and planned to bypass him in the line of succession in favor of her grandson, Alexander. Unfortunately, she died before she could make this change official.
She wrote comedies, memoirs, and even children’s stories. Literature played a huge role in her life, and she often used her plays to mock the superstitions and follies of her court. Thus, she wielded the pen as effectively as the scepter.
The colony of Alaska began under her reign. Russian explorers and fur traders established permanent settlements in North America with her approval. Therefore, the Russian Empire briefly spanned three continents: Europe, Asia, and North America.
She kept a “hairdresser in a cage” to protect her secrets. According to court gossip, she locked her wigmaker in a room to prevent him from revealing that she was losing her hair. While likely an exaggeration, it highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding her appearance.
Historians have debunked the infamous horse myth surrounding her death. While vulgar rumors suggest she died attempting an inappropriate act with a horse, she actually suffered a stroke in her bathroom. Enemies likely invented the scandalous story to tarnish her reputation after she died.
Finally, she introduced the potato to Russia. Realizing the tuber could prevent famine, she encouraged farmers to cultivate it despite their initial resistance. Eventually, the potato became a staple of the Russian diet, saving countless lives in future generations.
