Peter the Great

A biography of Peter the Great, Russia's ruler from 1682 to 1725. He modernized Russia's military, government, and society, founding St. Petersburg in 1703.

Peter the Great, thrust into power at age ten, navigated treacherous court politics to secure his throne against his ambitious half-sister Sophia. As he matured, he faced constant challenges from nobles and military leaders who sought to limit his authority. Determined to transform Russia, he implemented sweeping reforms, modernizing the military, government, and society. He founded St. Petersburg to gain access to the Baltic Sea, a strategic move that would reshape Russia's future. His reign was marked by relentless ambition, military campaigns against Sweden, and a fierce determination to bring Russia into the modern European age. Peter's relationship with his son Alexis, who plotted against him, ended tragically with Alexis's execution. The Tsar's legacy was a transformed Russia, ready to emerge as a major European power.