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Catherine II by F.Rokotov after Roslin (c.1770, Hermitage)
Catherine II of Russia

Catherine II of Russia (also known as Catherine the Great or Yekaterina Aleksei'evna) was a powerful Empress of Russia. She was born on April 21, 1729, in Stettin, Germany. She passed away on November 17, 1796, in Tsarskoye Selo, Russia. Catherine became Empress after her husband, Peter III, was removed from his position.

During her time as ruler, Catherine greatly increased Russia's power. She won many lands in the west and south through wars against the Ottoman Empire and the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Under Catherine's leadership, Russia became one of the strongest countries in Europe.

Early Life and Education

Catherine was born in Stettin, which was part of the Kingdom of Prussia at that time. Her father was Prince Christian August of Anhalt-Zerbst, and her mother was Princess Johanna Elizabeth of Holstein-Gottorp. She had five brothers and sisters.

When she was fifteen, Catherine married Peter III, who was also German. She became Empress of Russia at age 32. Catherine was educated in three languages: Russian, German, and French. She grew up following the Lutheran (Protestant) faith. When she married Peter, she changed her religion to the Russian Orthodox faith.

Marriage and Family

Catherine's marriage to Peter was often described as difficult. They both had other relationships. Nine years after they were married, Catherine had a son named Paul, born on 1 October [O.S. 20 September] 1754. Both parents accepted him as their child. Catherine also had a daughter, Anna, born in 1757, who sadly passed away in 1759.

Catherine and Peter had a very challenging relationship. After Peter passed away, Catherine became the sole ruler of Russia.

Becoming Empress

Six months after Peter became emperor, Catherine led a major event to take over the government. She was greatly admired by the people of Russia. Catherine was very involved in foreign affairs, which means dealing with other countries. She led Russia to victory in several wars, including the successful Russo-Turkish Wars, which helped Russia gain new territories.

Later Years and Death

Catherine suffered a serious medical event on 16 November [O.S. 5 November] 1796, which caused her to lose consciousness. She passed away in her bed the next evening, still unconscious. Catherine was buried at the Peter and Paul Cathedral in Saint Petersburg.

Images for kids

  • Grand Duchess Catherine Alexeevna by L.Caravaque (1745, Gatchina museum)

    Young Catherine soon after her arrival in Russia, by Louis Caravaque

  • Empress Catherine The Great circa 1845 (George Christoph Grooth)

    Portrait of the Grand Duchess Ekaterina Alekseyevna (the future Catherine the Great) around the time of her wedding, by Georg Christoph Grooth, 1745

  • Catherine03

    Equestrian portrait of Grand Duchess Ekaterina Alekseyevna

  • Peter III and Catherine II by Grooth (copy in Odessa)

    Tsar Peter III and his wife, the future Catherine the Great. He reigned only six months, and passed away in 1762.

  • Екатерина на балконе

    Catherine II on a balcony of the Winter Palace on 9 July [O.S. 28 June] 1762, the day she took power

  • A.A.Bezborodko by Lampi (1794, Hermitage)

    Alexander Bezborodko, who helped shape Catherine's foreign policy

  • Catherine II of Russia by Vigilius Eriksen - Конный портрет Екатерины Великой. - 1762

    Equestrian portrait of Catherine in a military uniform, by Vigilius Eriksen

  • Памятник Основателям Одессы

    Monument to the founders of Odessa: Catherine and her companions

  • 1800 Novoros gov

    Catherine extended the borders of the Russian Empire southward

  • Taming-of-the-Shrew-Gillray

    A 1791 drawing showing Catherine the Great and the Ottoman Empire.

  • Rzeczpospolita Rozbiory 3

    The divisions of Poland, carried out by Russia, the Kingdom of Prussia, and the Habsburg monarchy in 1772, 1793 and 1795

  • 5 Kopecks représentant l'aigle bicéphale et le monogramme de Catherine II, 1791

    A 5-kopeck coin with Catherine the Great's symbol, dated 1791

  • An Imperial stride! (BM 1868,0808.6035)

    A drawing about Catherine's rule and the Russo-Turkish war, from 1791

  • Скульптура Екатерины II в "Русском Музее", г.Санкт-Петербург (2)

    Marble statue of Catherine II (1789–1790), by Fedot Shubin

  • The throne of Empress Catherine II of Russia

    The throne of Empress Catherine II in the Winter Palace

  • Jacobi InaguarationofAcademy

    The opening of the Imperial Academy of Arts in Saint Petersburg in 1757

  • Catherine II by Alexey Antropov (18th c, Tver gallery)

    Portrait of Catherine II

  • Bolshoy Teatr

    The Bolshoi Theatre in the early 19th century

  • Ekaterina II and Lomonosov

    Catherine visits Russian scientist Mikhail Lomonosov

  • E. Vorontsova-Dashkova by Dm. Levitsky (1784, Hillwood)

    Yekaterina Vorontsova-Dashkova, a close friend of Empress Catherine

  • Moscow Orphanage asv2018-01

    The Moscow Orphanage

  • Galaktionov Smolny institute 1823

    The Smolny Institute, the first Russian higher education institution for women

  • Katharina II., die Große

    Catherine II in Russian national costume

  • Башкирские казаки в Европе

    Bashkir riders from the Ural steppes

  • Russian Empire 1792 Map

    Russian Empire in 1792

  • Kingsobor

    St. Catherine Cathedral in Kingisepp, an example of Late Baroque architecture

  • Orlov greg

    Count Grigory Orlov, by Fyodor Rokotov

  • Marcello Bacciarelli, Portret Stanisława Augusta Poniatowskiego (cropped)

    Stanislaus Augustus Poniatowski, the last King of Poland

  • 1000 Potiomkin

    Catherine II and Potemkin on the Millennium Monument in Novgorod

  • Catherine II walking by V.Borovikovskiy (1794, Tretyakov gallery)

    1794 portrait of Catherine, aged approximately 65, with the Chesme Column in the Catherine Park in Tsarskoye Selo in the background

  • Platon Zubov by Eggink

    Catherine's last close companion, Platon Zubov

  • Denkmal für Katharina II. in St. Petersburg

    Monument to Catherine the Great in Saint Petersburg, surrounded by prominent persons of her era

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Catalina II de Rusia para niños

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