Ivan The Terrible
Ivan the Terrible, the first tsar of Russia, oversaw the construction of a centralized state, created an empire, and instigated a reign of terror against the nobility.
Prince
August 25, 1530
Virgo
March 28, 1584
53
Moscow, Russia
Ivan the Terrible, who reigned as the first tsar of Russia from 1547 until his death in 1584, is known for his significant contributions to the country’s development. He successfully established a centrally administered Russian state and expanded its empire to include non-Slav territories. Among his notable accomplishments are the construction of the iconic Saint Basil’s Cathedral in Moscow, the founding of the oprichniki (a state police force), and the introduction of the Sudebnik of 1550 legal code. However, Ivan’s reign was also characterized by a reign of terror against the hereditary nobility.