Contents
Catherine the Great
Expanding the Russian Empire during a long eighteenth-century reign.
Legislative commission · Crimea
- Born
- 2 May 1729
- Birthplace
- Stettin, Prussia
- Died
- 17 November 1796
More people
Catherine the Great
Catherine the Great ruled Russia from 1762 to 1796, combining cultural patronage with imperial expansion.
Early life
German origins
Was born Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst.
Russian court
Moved to Russia and married the future Peter III.
Career
- 1740s–1762
Court life
Built connections within the imperial court.
- 1762
Accession
Took power after the overthrow of Peter III.
- 1762–1796
Reign
Expanded territory and supported selected administrative reforms.
Reign & legacy
Legislative commission
Convened a body to consider legal reform.
Crimea
Annexed the peninsula into the empire.
Art collections
Built collections associated with the Hermitage.
Beyond work
Enlightenment
Corresponded with prominent European thinkers.
Serfdom
Her reign strengthened noble power over many peasants.
Sources & photo credit
Life, career and references ↗Photo: After Alexander Roslin. Public domain · Original image. Cropped and displayed in monochrome.
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