Tsar Peter the Great, who ruled “All the Russias” from 1682 to 1725, was an adroit modernizer, an Enlightenment thinker and founder of the Russian Navy. He’s called Great because he expanded his Empire and created St Petersburg, the nation’s capital until the 1917 Revolution. Peter wanted All the Russias to be more like Europe - sophicated, educated and worldly. In his time, it was the fashion for elders to sport long beards, a sign of their wisdom, authority and rank. Peter had his soldiers cut those beards off. Great had another meaning as well.
© 2024 John Oliver
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