51³Ô¹ÏÍø

'Kaiserin Katharina II. Von Rußland 1729-1796', 1934. Catherine II (1729-1796), also known as Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796, the country's longest-ruling female leader and arguably the most renowned. She came to power following a coup d'état when her husband, Peter III, was assassinated. Russia was revitalised under her reign, growing larger and stronger than ever and becoming recognised as one of the great powers of Europe. From Die Großen der Weltgelchichte. [Ecktein-Halpaus, Dresden, 1934]. Artist Unknown. (Photo by The Print Collector/Getty Images)