Peter I (Russian: Пётр I Алексеевич, romanized: Pyotr I Alekseyevich, IPA: [ˈpʲɵtr ɐlʲɪˈksʲejɪvʲɪtɕ]; 9 June [O.S. 30 May] 1672 – 8 February [O.S. 28 January] 1725), commonly known as Peter the Great, was Tsar of all Russia from 1682, and the first Emperor of all Russia from 1721 until his death in 1725. He jointly ruled with his elder half-brother, Ivan V, until 1696. He is primarily credited with the modernisation of the country, transforming it into a major European power.
Through a number of successful wars, he captured ports at Azov and the Baltic Sea, laying the groundwork for the Imperial...