Russia: Catherine II or 'Catherine the Great' (1729 - 1796), r. 1762 -1796, oil on canvas, Fyodor Rokotov (1736 -1808), 1763, Tretyakov Gallery, Moscow

Catherine II of Russia (Russian: Yekaterina Alekseyevna, 2 May 1729 – 17 November 1796), was the most renowned and the longest-ruling female ruler of Russia, reigning from 1762 until her death in 1796 at the age of 67.

Born in Stettin, Pomerania, Prussia as Sophie Friederike Auguste von Anhalt-Zerbst-Dornburg, 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.

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