Amazing Deeds from a Remarkable Woman
Imagine leading the largest nation in the world for over 3 decades expanding its borders further by over 200,000 square miles, after successfully leading a coup against an incompetent husband. Imagine bringing your nation to the forefront of the fine arts, improving education, speaking three languages, and gaining the admiration of Europe's great thinkers of the day. Imagine enduring a dozen uprisings, balancing diplomacy and domestic challenges and facing off against the Russian nobility and elite.
This story would be significant enough had it been accomplished by anyone, but that it was accomplished by a woman in the 18th century who took Russia and the world by storm is absolutely amazing. The most amazing part:
Catherine II wasn't even Russian and her name was really Sophie
Catherine II was born to a middling Prussian house in Pomerania (present day Poland). Through the clever machinations of her mother, she was introduced and betrothed to the nephew of Empress Elizabeth of Russia, Peter III. He was 17 and she was 16 when they married. Sophie changed her name to Ekaterina (Catherine) when she converted to Russian Orthodoxy later.
Peter III was named Elizabeth's successor and ascended after her death, but his reign was short-lived when Catherine led a coup that removed him from the throne. He was later murdered by Alexey Orlov, the brother of Catherine's lover, Gregory. This was in 1762 and Catherine would rule Russia solely until her death in 1796.
Not a bad accomplishment considering her relatively minor Lutheran beginnings.
Four Cool Things Many People Don't Know About Her
(Disclaimer - the internet is littered with these types of lists so I hope mine isn't too cliche)
1 - Catherine the Conqueror
Under Catherine's rule, Russia defeated the Ottoman Turks twice gaining immense amounts of territory in the Black Sea region including Crimea and much of present day Ukraine. This completed a long-standing dream of Peter the Great 80 years before when he lost this territory to the Ottomans. Additionally, Catherine led the partition and eradication of Poland with it being split into 3 parts by Prussia, Austria, and Russia. Russia gained the largest and most Eastern portion that included Western Ukraine and Lithuania. She also launched a successful campaign against Persia, which secured much of the Caucuses for Russia.
2 - Catherine the Enlightened
The Empress was heavily influenced by the writings of many progressive authors and thinkers. Catherine regularly corresponded with Europe's great thinkers of the day. Leaders of the Enlightenment such as Voltaire and Diderot. Although she was never to meet Voltaire in person, she wept uncontrollably upon news of his death and immediately purchased his entire library and moved it to St. Petersburg. It would later be housed in the National Library of Russia.
Diderot came to Russia to visit her. Later, when news of Diderot's financial hardship reached her, she immediately purchased his entire library, but left it to him. She then paid him to be the caretaker and librarian of his own collection. It was Diderot that coined her as "Catherine the Great".
3- The Empress Educator and Artist
The Smolny Institute - Founded for educating women
Catherine led reforms to better educate and develop Russia. Although many of her efforts in public education stagnated, she created some great institutions that survive today including the first state funded institute for higher education for women, The Smolny Institute.
She spent huge sums of money acquiring great art works from Europe and elsewhere and her purchases now make up the base of the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, which is one of the largest in the world and features some of the world's greatest works from Rembrandt and others.
The Hermitage Museum - Winter Palace in St. Petersburg
Another significant accomplishment was her creation of the Imperial Academy of Fine Arts where some of the greatest Russian artists and architects would later study.
Portrait of Catherine II Meeting with Mikhail Lomonosov
4 - Catherine the Great Lover
Amongst the many achievements of her lifetime has been the tales of her legendary love life. Often, these stories have been extremely exaggerated either out of boasts or in order to slight her and her legacy. However, it is well known and confirmed that she maintained at least a dozen lovers over her lifetime. Catherine was thought to have a voracious sexual appetite and her "favorites" as the men were known would be well taken care of even after she grew disinterested with them. In fact, they always departed on good terms with large endowments of land and other benefits. For all of her somewhat scandalous escapades, many are clearly debunked such as stories of beastiality.
All but one of her children are confirmed to be from men other than her husband, Peter III. However, there is a great deal of debate as to whether her first son, Paul, who would go on to reign following her death is actually the son of her husband as well.
A Legacy of Greatness
Catherine has cemented herself as one of the great leaders in history. She was clear in her belief that she was following in the steps of Peter the Great whose aspirations were to transform Russia into an empire equivalent to those of Western Europe. Both leaders were intent on adopting and implementing a better educated, innovative, and artistic populace and both encountered successes and failures in this regard. It is extremely fitting that one of the most iconic symbols of Russia is the Bronze Horseman, a statue of Peter the Great commissioned by Catherine during her reign. It stands on the banks of the Neva River near the Admiralty complex that Peter created when he founded the city.
Her name graces the sculpture as well.
Me and My Girl at the Hermitage - A Bust of Catherine the Great
Some Sources on Catherine the Great -
http://www.saint-petersburg.com/royal-family/catherine-the-great/
https://www.biography.com/people/catherine-ii-9241622
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catherine_the_Great
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