Ivan IV Vasilyevich, often called Ivan the Terrible, ruled as the Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and then became the first Tsar of all Russia, holding that title until his death in 1584. During his reign, Russia began shifting from a medieval state into an emerging empire, though this transformation came with heavy suffering for the population and damage to the economy.

He was the eldest son of Vasili III and Elena Glinskaya, and the grandson of Ivan III. Ivan became ruler at just three years old after his father’s death. At 16, he was crowned tsar in 1547 with the support of a reformist group known as the Chosen Council. In his early rule, he introduced major changes: he set up the Zemsky Sobor (a national assembly), updated laws, encouraged limited local self-rule, and created Russia’s first permanent army, the Streltsy. He also expanded Russian territory by defeating the khanates of Kazan and Astrakhan, bringing the Volga River region under control.

Later, Ivan dismissed his advisers and tried to gain access to the Baltic Sea, leading to the Livonian War. This long conflict weakened Russia and failed to secure the desired territory, though it allowed Ivan to tighten his grip on power. He enforced harsh control over the nobility using the Oprichniki, who carried out brutal purges. His later years saw violent events such as the massacre of Novgorod and the burning of Moscow by Tatar forces. Despite this, he also promoted cultural progress, including bringing the first printing press to Russia, strengthening ties with European nations like England, engaging in conflicts with the Ottoman Empire, and beginning the expansion into Siberia.

Accounts from his time describe Ivan as highly intelligent and deeply religious, but also unstable, prone to anger, and increasingly paranoid as he aged. Many historians believe that during a violent outburst, he killed his eldest son, Ivan Ivanovich, which left his younger son, Feodor Ivanovich, to inherit the throne. Feodor’s weak rule and death without an heir ended the Rurik dynasty and led to a chaotic period in Russian history known as the Time of Troubles.