Facts About Catherine the Great, the Lusty Lover and Iron-Fisted Ruler

Catherine the Great, originally Princess Sophie, became a powerful ruler of Russia known for her political and cultural influence. Her marriage to Peter III was tumultuous, leading to his overthrow and her ascension to the throne. Despite rumors about her personal life, Catherine's real legacy includes her political ambitions, such as the Greek Project, and her contributions to art and public health. She corresponded with Enlightenment thinkers like Voltaire and left a lasting impact on Russian culture and politics.

What was Catherine the Great's original name before she moved to Russia?

• Princess Catherine of Austria

• Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst

• Princess Elizabeth of Bavaria

• Princess Sophia of Prussia

Which unpopular policy did Tsar Peter III try to enforce during his reign?

• Increasing taxes on the nobility

• Banning all foreign trade

• Converting the Russian Orthodox Church to Lutheran traditions

• Adopting French culture

What was the alleged cause of Tsar Peter III's death?

• A duel with a nobleman

• A mysterious illness

• A drunken fight

• A hunting accident

What infamous rumor emerged about Catherine the Great after her death?

• She was secretly married to a foreign prince

• She died while trying to get friendly with a horse

• She had a hidden treasure in the Winter Palace

• She was poisoned by her son

Who was one of Catherine's famous lovers who helped her overthrow her husband?

• Voltaire

• Grigory Orlov

• Sergei Saltykov

• Grigory Potemkin

What was the goal of Catherine's Greek Project?

• To establish a new Russian colony in Greece

• To restore the Greek monarchy

• To convert Greece to Russian Orthodoxy

• To create a trade alliance with Greece

Which philosopher did Catherine the Great correspond with for 15 years?

• Jean-Jacques Rousseau

• John Locke

• Immanuel Kant

• Voltaire

What was one of Catherine's main areas of interest as a monarch?

• Economic reform

• Religious conversion

• Public health

• Military expansion

How did Catherine the Great contribute to the art world?

• By founding the Russian Ballet

• By building the Winter Palace

• By being one of the greatest art collectors of all time

• By writing art critiques

Where did Catherine the Great die?

• In the bathroom

• In the Winter Palace

• In a carriage accident

• In her bedroom