The Rise of Catherine the Great

In 1744, a 14-year-old German princess arrived in Russia to marry the heir to the Russian throne.

She spoke little Russian, had few resources of her own, and barely knew the man who would become her husband.

But Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst began reinventing herself.

She learned Russian, converted to Orthodox Christianity, took the name Catherine, immersed herself in Enlightenment ideas, and spent years cultivating relationships within the Russian court.

Then, in 1762, her husband became Emperor Peter III.

His reign lasted just six months.

With Peter increasingly isolated, Catherine secured the support of powerful allies and the Imperial Guard. In July, she rode to the Guard regiments, was proclaimed sovereign, and emerged from the coup as Empress Catherine II. Peter abdicated and died days later under mysterious circumstances.

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