jan 1, 1700 - St Petersburg

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After having secured his grip on power after the deaths of his brothers and exiling his sister to a convent, Peter I of Russia, known later as "Peter the Great" began his efforts to westernise Russia and modernise it along European lines.

Institutions ranging from the military to courtly fashion were revolutionised and over the decades of his rule, became radically different. His methods could be brutal and he was an autocrat at heart, preferring to exercise complete authority over his subjects and ruthlessly stamping out dissent or rebellion.

One of his most enduring projects was the founding of a city on the Neva, which became known as "St Petersburg". This would be the capital of the Russian Empire until the creation of the Soviet Union after the October revolution.

He would also eschew the title of "Tsar" preferring instead to be known as "Emperor of Russia". This would likewise be the official name of Russian rulers until the end of the Russian monarchy in 1917.

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