Catherine the Great
Empress of Russia from 1762 until her death.
Catherine II (1729-1796), also known as Catherine the Great, was Empress of Russia from 1762 until her death. Born Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst in Prussia, she ascended to the throne after orchestrating a coup against her husband, Peter III. Her reign saw vast territorial expansion (including Crimea and parts of Poland), modernization efforts, and a flourishing of the arts and sciences, solidifying Russia's position as a major European power.
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