Ivan IV of Russia

::Ivan the Terrible links here. For other uses, see Ivan the Terrible (disambiguation).

Later reign

The latter half of Ivan's reign was far less successful. Ivan supported Yermak's conquest of Siberia and launched a victorious war of seaward expansion in the west, only to find himself fighting the Swedes, Lithuanians, Poles, and the Livonian Teutonic Knights. For twenty-two years the Livonian War dragged on, damaging the Russian economy and military but winning it no territory. Ivan's best friend and closest advisor, Prince Andrei Kurbsky, defected to the Poles, deeply hurting Ivan. As the Oprichnina continued, Ivan became mentally unstable and physically disabled. In one week, he would often pass from the most depraved orgies to prayers and fasting in some remote Northern monastery.

Related Topics:
Yermak - Siberia - Swedes - Lithuania - Poles - Livonian - Teutonic Knights - Livonian War - Andrei Kurbsky

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Because he gradually grew unbalanced and violent, the Oprichniks under Malyuta Skuratov soon got out of hand and became murderous thugs. They murdered nobles and peasants, and conscripted men to fight the war in Livonia. Depopulation and famine ensued. What had been by far the richest area of Russia became the poorest. In a dispute with Novgorod Republic, Ivan ordered the Oprichniks to murder the inhabitants of this city. Between thirty and forty thousand were killed. Yet the official death toll named 1,500 of Novgorod big people (nobility) and only mentioned about the same number of smaller people.

Related Topics:
Malyuta Skuratov - Novgorod Republic - Novgorod

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In 1581, Ivan Grozny beat his pregnant daughter-in-law for wearing immodest clothing, causing a miscarriage. His son Ivan, upon learning of this, engaged in a heated argument with his father which resulted in his (accidental) death. This event is depicted in the famous painting by Ilya Repin, Ivan the Terrible and his son Ivan on November 16, 1581 better known as Ivan the Terrible killing his son.

Related Topics:
1581 - Ilya Repin

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