The Reign of Ivan the Terrible

The reign of Ivan the Terrible, the first Russian tsar, left an indelible mark on the history of Russia. His life, full of dramatic events, has attracted the attention of historians and writers for centuries. Ivan IV was a complex and controversial personality: a highly educated patron of printing, a talented writer and statesman, he did much to strengthen and expand the Russian state. However, his reign was also accompanied by the destruction of his own achievements and brutal repression. This contrast between greatness and destructive power makes his figure one of the most tragic in the history of Russia.