Catherine the Great

Born in the off-branch house of the German Ascania, Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst was one of many insignificant princesses of the Holy Roman Empire. At the age of ten, she met her future husband Peter III. After her marriage six years later, the young Sophie moved to Russia and learned the Russian language with great zeal. In order to adapt to her new environment and gaining the favor of the at that time reigning Empress Elizabeth, Sophie converted to Orthodoxy and changed her name to Catherine.\nThe marriage with Peter III failed due to his immaturity and both partners committed infidelities. Catherine had plotted against her husband in secret for many years, and when Peter inherited the throne of Russia, the ambitious Catherine overthrew the Emperor after only six months of his rule.\n\nRussia experienced a renaissance of culture, arts, sciences and many other ideas of the Enlightenment during her reign. It was under Catherine when the Empire extended its reaches to the West considerably.