1462-1505 Tsar of Russia.
Ivan III is known as the founding father of the Russia state. His wise political and military skills made it possible to gather lands into a unified Russian state.
Background
Lived: 1440-1505.
Ivan III was the oldest son of tsar Vasily II the Blind. He was born in Moscow during the great civil war. Vasily made him co-ruler at the age of 6 to secure his succession.
Ivan fought in the civil war battles alongside his blind father. He conducted his first campaign against Dmitry Shemyaka at the age of 12. When he was 12, he also married Maria, princess of Tver.
Tsardom
Ivan became tsar in 1462 at the age of 22. He was already an experienced soldier and was capable of handling complicated state matters. He managed to annex weaker principalities one after the other using money, military force or clever diplomacy.
Family
His first wife Maria died, andin 1472, Ivan married Sofia Palaiologina, the daughter of the last Byzantine Emperor. She had a huge westernizing influence on Ivan and the whole court.
Death
In 1503, Ivan III suffered a stroke, and after he died in 1505, he was succeeded by his son Vasily III.
Ivan the Great
1462-1505 Tsar of Russia.
Ivan III is known as the founding father of the Russia state. His wise political and military skills made it possible to gather lands into a unified Russian state.
Background
Lived: 1440-1505.
Ivan III was the oldest son of tsar Vasily II the Blind. He was born in Moscow during the great civil war. Vasily made him co-ruler at the age of 6 to secure his succession.
Ivan fought in the civil war battles alongside his blind father. He conducted his first campaign against Dmitry Shemyaka at the age of 12. When he was 12, he also married Maria, princess of Tver.
Tsardom
Ivan became tsar in 1462 at the age of 22. He was already an experienced soldier and was capable of handling complicated state matters. He managed to annex weaker principalities one after the other using money, military force or clever diplomacy.
Family
His first wife Maria died, andin 1472, Ivan married Sofia Palaiologina, the daughter of the last Byzantine Emperor. She had a huge westernizing influence on Ivan and the whole court.
Death
In 1503, Ivan III suffered a stroke, and after he died in 1505, he was succeeded by his son Vasily III.
Sophia Palaiologina