Ever a loyal mother, Olympia further ensured her son's claim to the throne by slaughtering the daughter of King Philip II and Cleopatra and driving Cleopatra herself to suicide. Before his death, he mourned the early passing of his great student, Thomas Aquinas, who would later be recognized as a saint and doctor of the Church. She also significantly expanded Russian territory. She imposed serfdom on the Ukrainians who had until then been free. He managed to keep hold of his throne in the face of the many changes in the government at Rome. He reigned as king from And he did this without the benefit of modern technology and weaponry. Falling for the Biggest Hoax in History. Russia at the time was ruled by Peter the Greats daughter, the empress Elizabeth, whose 20-year reign greatly stabilized the monarchy. In the summer of 333, the troops of Alexander and Darius once again went head to head in battle at Issus. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. In fact, he was the first pope to be given the title "the Great." Catherine II, or Catherine the Great, served as empress of Russia for more than three decades in the late 18th century after overthrowing her husband, Peter III. She was also supported by the enlightened elements of aristocratic society, since she was known for her liberal opinions and admired as one of the most cultivated persons in Russia. Although the naval victory at eme in 1770 brought military glory to the empress, Turkey had not yet been defeated and continued fighting. Catherine, by contrast, was clearheaded and ambitious. Alexander the Great was born in the Pella region of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia on July 20, 356 B.C., to parents King Philip II of Macedon and Queen Olympia, daughter of King Neoptolemus. At age 16, she married Karl Ulrich (later Peter III), the heir to the throne of Russia. Examples of the greatest world-ruling powers in history include those centered in Assyria, Babylon, Greece, Rome, Egypt, Parthia and others. According to the Instruction: Contrary to popular belief, Catherine the Great did not die on the toilet. Next lesson. Three days after his arrival, Alexander led the massacre of Thebes. The 2020 election He was just 32 years old. The Thanksgiving Feast at Susa, which had been geared towards solidifying the bond between Persians and Macedonians, shaped up to be quite the opposite. To this end, at Susa he commanded that a large number of Macedonians marry Persian princesses. Alexander the Great is one of the most extraordinary individuals in history. Catherine II, called Catherine the Great, reigned over Russia for 34 yearslonger than any other female in Russian history. https://www.britannica.com/biography/Catherine-the-Great, Jewish Encyclopedia.com - Biography of Catherine II, Jewish Virtual Library - Biography of Catherine II, RT Russiapedia - Biography of Catherine II the Great, King's College - Women's History Resource Site - Biography of Empress Catherine II of Russia, LiveScience - Catherine the Great: Biography, Accomplishments and Death, Catherine the Great - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11), Catherine the Great - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up). He died at the young age of 32 in 323 BC having accomplished much in his short life. In February 324, Alexander at last reached the city of Susa. Devoted to much pleasure and luxury and greatly desirous of giving her court the brilliancy of a European court, Elizabeth prepared the way for Catherine. It was the longest and most severe depression ever experienced by the industrialized Western world, sparking fundamental changes in economic institutions, macroeconomic policy, and economic theory. In fact, the southern states of Greece were celebrating Philip II's death and expressed divided interests. On June 28 (July 9, New Style), 1762, she led the regiments that had rallied to her cause into St. Petersburg and had herself proclaimed empress and autocrat in the Kazan Cathedral. With her ministers she reorganized the administration and law of the Russian Empire and extended Russian territory, adding Crimea and much of Poland. Before her accession to power, Catherine had planned to emancipate the serfs, on whom the economy of Russia, which was 95 percent agricultural, was based. He is considered one of the greatest military commanders in history. Catherine had only to strike: she had the support of the army, especially the regiments at St. Petersburg, where Grigory Orlov, her lover, was stationed; the court; and public opinion in both capitals (Moscow and St. Petersburg). Alexander's next conquest was eastern Iran, where he created Macedonian colonies and in 327 seized the fortress in Ariamazes. The best of the best college-level courses on CD, DVD, and Digital formats. If you see something that doesn't look right, contact us! This is the currently selected item. When did Alexander the Great live? Her attempts at reform, however, were less than satisfying. Catherines enemies in the court spread many different rumours about her death. A year later, while still just a teen, he became a soldier and embarked on his first military expedition, against the Thracian tribes. As empress, Catherine westernized Russia. First, a terrible plague broke out in Moscow; along with the hardships imposed by the war, it created a climate of disaffection and popular agitation. Overview of Catherine II's early life and reign. Throughout history, nothing has killed more human beings than infectious disease. Updated March 26, 2020 The Great Depression lasted from 1929 to 1939 and was the worst economic depression in the history of the United States. With her ministers she reorganized the administration and law of the Russian Empire and extended Russian territory, adding Crimea and much of Poland. The New York Times Book Review "Hypnotizing, horrifying, energetic, lucid prose" Providence Observer "A sobering account of the 1918 flu epidemic, compelling and timely. "Easily our fullest, richest, most panoramic history of the subject." Once Philip II had succeeded in his campaign to unite all the Greek states (minus Sparta) into the Corinthian League, the alliance between father and son soon disintegrated. Desperate to retain his leadership and recruit more soldiers, he tried to connect Persian nobles to Macedonians in order to create a ruling class. This enraged the soldiers, who spoke critically of Alexander's new troops and condemned him for adopting Persian customs and manners. Growing up, the dark-eyed and curly-headed Alexander hardly ever saw his father, who spent most of his time engaged in military campaigns and extra-marital affairs. An idea that arose from a desire to go beyond specialized and self-contained fields of study to grasp history as a whole. Aquinas died in 1274. Leonidas, who had been hired by King Phillip to teach Alexander math, horsemanship and archery, struggled to control his rebellious student. Catherine the Great, empress of Russia (176296) who led her country into full participation in the political and cultural life of Europe. In his day, troop movements were primarily on foot, and communications were face to face. Capital punishment and torture should cease. It's a story about us. Although Alexander's army was outnumbered, he used his flair for military strategy to create formations that defeated the Persians again and caused Darius to flee. The pieces are finally coming together, and they reveal a masterpiece of electoral larceny involving Big Tech oligarchs, activists, and government officials who prioritize partisanship over Although Catherine probably did not order the murder of Peter, it was committed by her supporters, and public opinion held her responsible. This is a guy who survived fighting in the front lines of many battles, including getting hit so hard on the head it cracked his helmet in two, and his doctors were worried that FDR and the Great Depression . Saint Leo the Great, also known as Pope Saint Leo I, was born into a Roman aristocratic family. 2020 Biography and the Biography logo are registered trademarks of A&E Television Networks, LLC. To report any errors or omissions, please reach out to us at contact@thegreatcoursesdaily.com. World history Alexander the Great conquers Persia. Alexander forged eastward to the Ganges but headed back when his armies refused to advance any farther. In 343 B.C., King Philip II hired the philosopher Aristotle to tutor Alexander at the Temple of the Nymphs at Meiza. The Great Recession was a period between 2007 and 2009 when the housing bubble burst and employment, GDP and the stock market plummeted for the longest period since World War II. She did, however, suffer a stroke in the toilet (meaning bathroom) and died the next day, on November 6 (November 17, New Style), 1796. Rhoxana gave birth to his son a few months later. His father was King Cambyses I of Anshan. Omissions? All men should be considered equal before the law. Alexander the Great liked to party . The young prince and his sister were raised in Pella's royal court. Covid-19 shows how vulnerable we remain and how we can avoid similar pandemics in the future. Navigate parenthood with the help of the Raising Curious Learners podcast. While considering the conquests of Carthage and Rome, Alexander the Great died of malaria in Babylon (now Iraq), on June 13, 323 B.C. But, before preparing for war with Persia, Alexander first conquered the Thracian Triballians in 335, securing Macedonia's northern borders. A voter casts an absentee ballot. Catherine bestowed gifts, including land and titles, to her former lovers; one received more than a thousand indentured servants. The serf was the property of the master, and the fortune of a noble was evaluated not in lands but in the souls he owned. Sophie Friederike Auguste, Prinzessin (princess) von Anhalt-Zerbst, was the daughter of an obscure German prince, Christian August von Anhalt-Zerbst, but she was related through her mother to the dukes of Holstein. At age 14 she was chosen to be the wife of Karl Ulrich, duke of Holstein-Gottorp, grandson of Peter the Great and heir to the throne of Russia as the grand duke Peter. During his leadership, from 336 to 323 B.C., he united the Greek city-states and led the Corinthian League. Sort by: Top Voted. Truly dedicated to her adopted country, she intended to make Russia a prosperous and powerful state. https://www.biography.com/political-figure/alexander-the-great. On their way back along the Indus, Alexander was wounded by Malli warriors. 1985 Chicago Bears. The history of the Great Wall is said to have started from the Spring and Autumn Period (770 - 476 BC). Philip married Cleopatra Eurydice, niece of General Attalus, and ousted Alexander's mother, Olympia. Rise of Rome. Not bad for a kid who Reconciling herself to an unavoidable evil without much difficulty, Catherine turned her attention to organizing and strengthening a system that she herself had condemned as inhuman. Holy Roman Emperor Joseph II tried to strengthen the Habsburg empire with his enlightened reforms, but the changes he made were met with fierce opposition. Diadochi and the Hellenistic Period. Updates? Conqueror and king of Macedonia, Alexander the Great was born on July 20, 356 B.C., in Pella, in the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia. Although a woman of little beauty, Catherine possessed considerable charm, a lively intelligence, and extraordinary energy. With the collapse of the Persian army, Alexander became "King of Babylon, King of Asia, King of the Four Quarters of the World.". Were global storytellers who believe this world is filled with magic. US history FDR and the Great Depression . Big History examines our past, explains our present, and imagines our future. Great Plague of After besieging Gaza on his way to Egypt, Alexander easily achieved his conquest; Egypt fell without resistance. One particularly nasty rumour held that Catherine had died while attempting sexual intercourse with a horse. Ulrich abdicated, and in September 1762 Catherine was crowned empress of Russia. As they launched independence movements, Alexander sent his army south and coerced the region of Thessaly into acknowledging him as the leader of the Corinthian League. In November of 333, Alexander declared himself the king of Persia after capturing Darius and making him a fugitive. During her husbands lifetime alone, she had at least three lovers; if her hints are to be believed, none of her three children, not even the heir apparent Paul, was fathered by her husband. Athens had its own agenda: Under the leadership of democratic Demosthenes, the state hoped to take charge of the league. Donate or volunteer today! 10. Yu the Great is an ancient hero in prehistoric times, whose most remarkable accomplishment was taming the water. In September 1762, she was crowned with great ceremony in Moscow, the ancient capital of the tsars, and began a reign that was to span 34 years as empress of Russia under the title of Catherine II. Our content-rich, unique courses provide you with a world of knowledge designed to expand your horizons, deepen your understanding, and foster epiphanies. Coaching inns, many of which survive, were staging posts providing . Next up on Alexander's agenda was his campaign to conquer Egypt. Oscar Hammerstein II collaborated with Richard Rodgers on popular musicals such as Oklahoma!, South Pacific, Carousel, The King and I and The Sound of Music.. He made no attempt to hide his hatred of Russia and his love of his native Germany; discrediting himself endlessly by his foolish actions, he also prepared to rid himself of his wife. The debates went on for months and came to nothing. The Great Influenza: The Story of the Deadliest Plague in History (originally subtitled The Epic Story of the Deadliest Pandemic in History) is a 2004 nonfiction book by John M. Barry that examines the 1918 flu pandemic, the worst pandemic in history.Barry focuses on what was occurring in the United States at the time and attempts to place it against the background of American history By fall, Alexander and his army had made it across the southern coast of Asia Minor to Gordium, where they took the winter to rest. The accumulative length of the wall exceeds 21,196.18 km (13,170.70 mi). Alexander and Olympia were forced to flee Macedonia and stay with Olympia's family in Epirus until Alexander and King Philip II were able to reconcile their differences. A great conqueror, in 13 short years he amassed the largest empire in the entire ancient world an empire that covered 3,000 miles. The Instruction of Catherine the Great was a Russian political document prepared by the empress as a guide for a legislative commission considering internal reforms. Catherine now realized that for her the people were more to be feared than pitied, and that, rather than freeing them, she must tighten their bonds. Thus, 95 percent of the Russian people did not in any way benefit directly from the achievements of Catherines reign. The Great Game also known as Bolshaya Igra was an intense rivalry between the British and Russian Empires in Central Asia, beginning in the nineteenth century and continuing through 1907 wherein Britain sought to influence or control much of Central Asia to buffer the "crown jewel" of its empire: British India. Alexander received his earliest education under the tutelage of his relative, the stern Leonidas of Epirus. After Alexander managed to recruit tens of thousands of Persian soldiers into his army, he dismissed many of his existing Macedonian soldiers. It was Alexander's hope that the destruction of Thebes would serve as a warning to city-states contemplating revolt. The woman who would become Catherine the Great was born the Princess of Anhalt-Zerbst, Sophia Augusta Frederica, on May 2, 1729, in a place called Stettin, then part of Prussia but located in what would now be northwestern Poland. The army proclaimed Alexander the feudal king and proceeded to help him murder other potential heirs to the throne. Starting in the Ural region, the movement spread rapidly through the vast southeastern provinces, and in June 1774 Pugachovs Cossack troops prepared to march on Moscow. As Alexander was nearing the end of his northern campaign, he was delivered the news that Thebes, a Greek city-state, had forced out the Macedonian troops that were garrisoned there. He was known to get so hammered that his doctors were concerned for his health. The Great North Road was the main highway between England and Scotland. At this point, the war with Turkey ended in a Russian victory, and Catherine sent her crack troops to crush the rebellion. Since her coup detat and Peters suspicious death demanded both discretion and stability in her dealings with other nations, she continued to preserve friendly relations with Prussia, Russias old enemy, as well as with the countrys traditional allies, France and Austria. Early Life Flavius Valerius Constantinus, who would become Roman emperor Constantine I, was born on February 27, circa 280 (sources range from 272 to 284), in Naissus, Moesia (now Ni, Serbia). During his time of leadership, he united Greece, reestablished the Corinthian League and conquered the Persian Empire. Great Depression, worldwide economic downturn that began in 1929 and lasted until about 1939. Alexander and his forces arrived in Thebes so quickly that the city-state didn't have a chance to pull together allies for its defense. The rumour that Catherine died on the toilet likely originated in the imperial Russian court. Site Navigation. Albert became ill in 1278 and he In 338, Alexander took charge of the Companion Cavalry and aided his father in defeating the Athenian and Theban armies at Chaeronea. Over 500 expertly-produced courses by professors chosen for their ability to teach. In 328, Alexander defeated King Porus' armies in northern India. Seeing that Homer's Iliad inspired Alexander to dream of becoming a heroic warrior, Aristotle created an abridged version of the tome for Alexander to carry with him on military campaigns. He became the head of an empire that was expanded by his son and successor, Alexander the Great. It became a coaching route used by mail coaches travelling between London, York and Edinburgh.The modern A1 mainly parallels the route of the Great North Road. Our editors will review what youve submitted and determine whether to revise the article. In 1744 Catherine arrived in Russia, assumed the title of Grand Duchess Catherine Alekseyevna, and married her young cousin the following year. Herod I (the Great) was son of Antipater and made king by the Romans in 40 B.C. Nicholas II was the last tsar of Russia under Romanov rule. The Russian clergy was reduced to a group of state-paid functionaries, losing what little power had been left to it by the reforms of Peter the Great. In the wake of his father's death, Alexander, then 19, was determined to seize the throne by any means necessary. In it Catherine instructed the commission to create a new legal code and recommended a series of government reforms based on liberal humanitarian political theories. With Barack Obama, Mike Singletary, Jim McMahon, Jeremy Piven. Blackwell: The Greatest Electoral Heist in American History 103,657 AP Photo/Morry Gash, File. A disciple of the English and French liberal philosophers, she saw very quickly that the reforms advocated by Montesquieu or Jean-Jacques Rousseau, which were difficult enough to put into practice in Europe, did not at all correspond to the realities of an anarchic and backward Russia. Ken Blackwell 21 Nov 2020. What is Big History? Directed by Scott Prestin. Diadochi and the Hellenistic Period. After capturing Prince Oxyartes, Alexander married the prince's daughter, Rhoxana. Catherine faced over a dozen uprisings during her rule. Her most pressing practical problem, however, was to replenish the state treasury, which was empty when Elizabeth died; this she did in 1762 by secularizing the property of the clergy, who owned one-third of the land and serfs in Russia. Alexander the Great. She was humiliated, bored, and regarded with suspicion while at court, but she found comfort in reading extensively and in preparing herself for her future role as sovereign. In 1764 she resolved the problem of Poland, a kingdom lacking definite boundaries and coveted by three neighbouring powers, by installing one of her old lovers, Stanisaw Poniatowski, a weak man entirely devoted to her, as king of Poland. Kaiser Wilhelm served as emperor of Germany from 1888 until the end of World War I. Frederick II, known as Frederick the Great, was Prussia's king from 1740 to 1786. Her intelligence, flexibility of character, and love of Russia gained her much support. The marriage was a complete failure; the following 18 years were filled with disappointment and humiliation for her. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). Since the reign of Peter the Great, the Ottoman Empire had been the traditional enemy of Russia; inevitably, the war fired the patriotism and zeal of Catherines subjects. Up Next. The principle of absolutism should be upheld. Alexander completed his education at Meiza in 340 B.C. Charles II was the monarch of England, Scotland and Ireland during much of the latter half of the 17th century, marking the Restoration era. He was extremely neurotic, rebellious, obstinate, perhaps impotent, nearly alcoholic, and, most seriously, a fanatical worshipper of Frederick II of Prussia, the foe of the empress Elizabeth. "use strict";(function(){var insertion=document.getElementById("citation-access-date");var date=new Date().toLocaleDateString(undefined,{month:"long",day:"numeric",year:"numeric"});insertion.parentElement.replaceChild(document.createTextNode(date),insertion)})(); Subscribe to the Biography newsletter to receive stories about the people who shaped our world and the stories that shaped their lives. Over time, the cultures of Greece and the Orient synthesized and thrived as a side effect of Alexander's empire, becoming part of his legacy and spreading the spirit of Panhellenism. Albert spent his last years defending the work of Aquinas which is among the most important work in the Church. it does will any politician take responsibility for the lies and disinformation or the damage this hoax caused this great nation? While considering the conquests of Carthage and Rome, Alexander died of malaria in Babylon (now Iraq), on June 13, 323 B.C. Since her early days in Russia she had dreamed of establishing a reign of order and justice, of spreading education, creating a court to rival Versailles, and developing a national culture that would be more than an imitation of French models. Akbar the Great, Muslim emperor of India, established a sprawling kingdom through military conquests but is known for his policy of religious tolerance. Elizabeth, empress of Russia, detail of a portrait by an unknown artist, 18th century; in the collection of Mrs. Merriweather Post, Hillwood, Washington, D.C. Get exclusive access to content from our 1768 First Edition with your subscription. His kingdom comprised Judea, Samaria, Galilee, Idumea, Batanea, and Peraea, which was approximately the same size as the kingdom of Frustrated in her attempts at reform, Catherine seized the pretext of war with Turkey in 1768 to change her policy; henceforth, emphasis would be placed above all on national grandeur. Alexander particularly delighted in impersonating the warrior Achilles. Rather, their forced labour financed the immense expenditures required for her ever-growing economic, military, and cultural projects. . Although Olympia served as a powerful role model for the boy, Alexander grew to resent his father's absence and philandering. Grigory Grigoryevich, Count Orlov, portrait by Vigilius Eriksen; in the Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow. Later that year, Alexander defeated the Persians at the Battle of Gaugamela. In 325, after Alexander had recovered, he and his army headed north along the rugged Persian Gulf, where many fell prey to illness, injury and death. Her true passion, however, was ambition; since Peter was incapable of ruling, she saw quite early the possibility of eliminating him and governing Russia herself. Great Courses are for Great Learners - Like You The Great Courses Plus makes lifelong learning and personal enrichment available to anyone, anywhere. Catherine, however, would not have become empress if her husband had been at all normal. Philip II reigned over Macedonia from 359 to 336 B.C. We strive for accuracy and fairness. Alexander the Great was born on July 20, 356 BC. (Photo credit: MEGAN JELINGER/AFP via Getty Images) The pieces are finally coming together, and they reveal a masterpiece of electoral larceny involving Big Tech oligarchs, activists, and government officials who prioritize partisanship over patriotism. Cyrus the Great was born around 580 BC in the land of Persia which is today the country of Iran. Peter III abdicated and was assassinated eight days later. Be on the lookout for your Britannica newsletter to get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox. Content on The Great Courses Daily is vetted and fact-checked by the same processes that underpin The Great Courses video series. She championed the arts and reorganized the Russian law code. It was considered too liberal for publication in France and remained a dead letter in Russia. In these undertakings, at least, she proved herself to be a good administrator and could claim that the blood and sweat of the people had not been wasted. Catherine the Great was reportedly tone-deaf and had to receive a signal to applaud at operas, concerts, and ballets. He was also an excellent political leader and established the Xia Dynasty (21st - 17th century BC), the first dynasty in Chinese history that followed the hereditary system. He quickly garnered the support of the Macedonian army, including the general and troops he had had fought with at Chaeronea. Economists and historians point to the stock market crash of October 24, 1929, as the start of the downturn. The empress Elizabeth died on December 25, 1761 (January 5, 1762, New Style), while Russia, allied with Austria and France, was engaged in the Seven Years War against Prussia. Her projects obviously were too numerous to carry out, even if she could have given her full attention to them. By winning wars and expanding territories, he established Prussia as a strong military power. Read more here. He also became the king of Persia, Babylon and Asia, and created Macedonian colonies in the region. Catherine the Great was born Sophie von Anhalt-Zerbst to Prussian prince Christian August von Anhalt-Zerbst. At the end of her reign, there was scarcely a free peasant left in Russia, and, because of more systematized control, the condition of the serf was worse than it had been before Catherines rule. In 1767 she convened a commission composed of delegates from all the provinces and from all social classes (except the serfs) for the purpose of ascertaining the true wishes of her people and framing a constitution. Despite Catherines personal weaknesses, she was above all a ruler. yoko-e(landscape-oriented) woodblock print created by Japanese artistKatsushika Hokusai during the Edo period Legend of Cyrus' Youth Then during a meeting of league members at Thermopylae, Alexander elicited their acceptance of his leadership. Over the course of three years, Aristotle taught Alexander and a handful of his friends philosophy, poetry, drama, science and politics. When confronted with the realities of power, however, Catherine saw very quickly that emancipation of the serfs would never be tolerated by the owners, whom she depended upon for support, and who would throw the country into disorder once they lost their own means of support. After Alexander died, his empire collapsed and the nations within it battled for power. Khan Academy is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. The Great Influenza is a In 331, he created the city of Alexandria, designed as a hub for Greek culture and commerce. By signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and information from Encyclopaedia Britannica. a lot. Our mission is to help you discover it, one video at a time. His poor handling of Bloody Sunday and Russias role in World War I led to his abdication and execution.