Mighty Monarchs XIII (Russia) Trivia Quiz

Answer: Vladimir I

Earlier Vladimir I (r. 980-1015 AD) had called a council of boyars to discuss which major religion (Judaism, Islam, or Christianity) should be adopted to bring the Russians the most political and commercial advantages. He then received a request for military assistance from Basil II, Byzantine Emperor, to help suppress a revolt led by Bardas Phocas. Vladimir agreed but in return he was to receive an imperial bride.

He married Anna, sister of the emperor, in 990 AD.

Answer: Ivan III, the Great

Ivan III (r. 1462-1505 AD) received as part of his wife's dowry the imperial Byzantine seal of the double-headed eagle. After the "fall" of Rome and the Western Empire in 476 AD the Roman Senate had sent the imperial seal to Zeno, the Eastern Roman (Byzantine) emperor (now the only legitimate imperial authority).

The seal was later adapted with two heads to symbolize the continuity of Roman authority now centered in Constantinople. With the fall of Constantinople (May 29, 1453 AD) and the demise of the Byzantine Empire, Ivan felt that the marriage (and dowry) gave Moscow the claim of successor to the imperial authority of Byzantium and the Orthodox faith. Thus Moscow would be referred to as the "Third Rome." Zoe took the name of Sophia after the wedding.

Answer: Ivan IV, the Terrible

Czar means 'Caesar' (or Emperor) and the czar ruled from Moscow (the Third Rome)! Ivan IV (r. 1530-1584 AD) was descended from the imperial blood of Byzantium. His great-great-grandfather (on his father's side) was the emperor Manuel II (r. 1391-1425 AD).

Answer: Fedor I

Fedor I (r. 1584-1598 AD) was the son of Ivan IV. But he was not his father's first choice as heir (see Mighty Monarchs X, question 8, for further details). Iov, the Metropolitan (Primate) of Moscow, was consecreated as the first patriarch. The elevation of Moscow was approved by the other patriarchs of the Eastern Orthodox Churches (Constantinople or Istanbul, Alexandria, Antioch, and Jerusalem).

The new status was primarily engineered by Boris Godunov (Fedor's brother-in-law and 'prime minister').

Answer: Michael Romanov

Answer: Ivan V

Alexis was succeeded by his eldest son, Fedor III (1676-1682 AD). Fedor was the brother of Ivan V (r. 1682-1696 AD) and half-brother of Peter I (r. 1682-1725 AD). Maria Miloslavskaya was the first wife of Alexis and mother of Fedor and Ivan. Peter was the first born child of Alexis' second wife Natalya Naryshikina.

When Fedor died in 1682 AD Peter (10 yrs old) was proclaimed czar but the Streltsy (imperial guards for the Kremlin and Russia's first professional soldiers) revolted and demanded that Ivan (16 yrs old) also assume the throne. Sophia, the older sister of Ivan, emerged from the revolt as regent (till 1689 AD).

Answer: Catherine II

Catherine I (r. 1725-1727 AD) was the second wife of Peter I. Elizabeth (r. 1741-1761 AD) was the daughter of Peter I and Catherine. Peter III (r. 1761-1762 AD) was the son of Elizabeth. Catherine II (r. 1762-1796 AD) is known as "the Great" and was born Sophia Augusta Fredericka of Anhalt-Zerbst (daughter of a minor German noble).

She took the name Catherine upon converting to the Orthodox faith. Anna (r. 1730-1740 AD) was the niece of Peter (daugher of Ivan V).

Answer: Nicholas I

Nicholas I (r. 1825-1855 AD) was the brother of Alexander I (r. 1801-1825 AD). The Decembrists were led by a Russian officer, Paul Pestel, and wished to abolish the monarchy and establish a republic. The revolt was quickly crushed by troops loyal to the monarchy.

Answer: Alexander II

Alexander II (r. 1855-1881 AD) was the son of Nicholas I. During the last few years of his reign several assassination attempts had been made. In Apr 1879 AD Alexander Soloviev fired five shots at the emperor but missed. The next attempt came on Nov 19, 1879 AD when someone tried to blow up the imperial train.

In Feb 1880 AD a bomb exploded in the banquet hall of the Winter Palace but the emperor was unharmed. The final attempt (Mar 1, 1881 AD) proved successful. While the czar was being driven through the streets of St. Petersburg a bomb was thrown at the imperial carriage. Alexander escaped without injury but a second bomb was thrown at his feet as he attempted to aid the injured.

His lower body was mutilated beyond repair. He died of his wounds a few hours later.

He was succeeded by his son Alexander III (1881-1894 AD). It was during Alexander II's reign that Alaska was sold to the United States (1867 AD).

Answer: Nicholas II

Nicholas II (r. 1894-1917 AD) was the son of Alexander III. As the protesters marched into the square of the palace (unaware that Nicholas was not even in the capital at the time) someone gave the guards the order to open fire. 500 protesters were reportedly killed and several thousand more wounded. "Bloody Sunday" led to a general workers strike throughout the empire. Nicholas was finally forced to issue the 'October Manifesto' which granted the creation of an elective national Duma (parliament).

It was not until Mar 2, 1917 AD that he abdicated the throne thus ending the Russian Empire.