Ivan IV Vasilyevich (Russian: Ива́н Четвёртый, Васи́льевич (help·info), Ivan Chetvyorty, Vasilyevich), known in English as Ivan the Terrible (= inspiring fear) (Ivan Grozny Russian: Ива́н Гро́зный (help·info)) ( 25 August 1530, Moscow – 28 March [O.S. 18 March] 1584, Moscow) was Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533. The epithet "Grozny" is associated with might, power and strictness, rather than poor performance, horror or cruelty. Ivan oversaw num...
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Ivan IV Vasilyevich (Russian: Ива́н Четвёртый, Васи́льевич (help·info), Ivan Chetvyorty, Vasilyevich), known in English as Ivan the Terrible (= inspiring fear) (Ivan Grozny Russian: Ива́н Гро́зный (help·info)) ( 25 August 1530, Moscow – 28 March [O.S. 18 March] 1584, Moscow) was Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533. The epithet "Grozny" is associated with might, power and strictness, rather than poor performance, horror or cruelty. Ivan oversaw numerous changes in the transition from a medieval nation state to an empire and emerging regional power, becoming the first Tsar of a new more powerful nation, acknowledged as "Tsar of All Russia" from 1547.
Ivan is described in contrary terms: intelligent, devout, and impulsive by some; given to rages and prone to episodic outbreaks of mental illness by others. One notable outburst resulted in the death of his groomed and chosen heir Ivan Ivanovich (although this version is supported mainly by foreign authors of that time and those Russian...
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