Politics · 1530–1584
Born: 25 August 1530 · Died: 18 March 1584 · Age at death: 53
Ivan the Terrible died aged 53. He was born on 25 August 1530 and died on 18 March 1584.
Grand Prince of Moscow who became the first Tsar of Russia, conquered Kazan and ruled through terror
Did you know?His nickname reflects his ruthless nature, which included the killing of his own son during a violent outburst.
Ivan the Terrible was the first ruler to be crowned Tsar of All Russia. He became grand prince at three, and grew up amid violent feuds among the nobles. As a young ruler he reformed law and the army and conquered Kazan and Astrakhan. After the death of his beloved first wife, he grew suspicious and cruel. His secret police, the oprichniki, spread terror across the land. In a rage he struck and killed his own son and heir. His rule left Russia larger but deeply scarred.
Ivan IV Vasilyevich (Russian: Иван IV Васильевич; 25 August 1530 – 28 March 1584), commonly known as Ivan the Terrible, was Grand Prince of Moscow and all Russia from 1533 to 1547 and the first Tsar and Grand Prince of all Russia from 1547 until his death in 1584.
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Profile
Tsar of Russia, 1530–1584
Ivan IV was born at Kolomenskoye, near Moscow, on 25 August 1530.
He was crowned Tsar in 1547.
He conquered Kazan in 1552.
He created the oprichnina in 1565.
Career highlights
Did you know?St Basil's Cathedral in Moscow was built to celebrate his capture of Kazan.
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