Ivan IV has gone down in history as one of Russia’s most brutal rulers, remembered for his violent temper, and the famous story that he killed his own son during an argument.
Rulers are not allowed to be nice. If you want to be nice become a priest or social worker, not a ruler or leader. As anyone from the street knows respect has to be had. Nice? maybe allowed in quite secret moments.
Reminds me of Alexander the Great driving a spear through his favorite right hand generals chest sitting around the fire drunk after a big battle. The General was teasing Alexander about him not even being close to the general and leader Alexander's father Philip II of Macedon was. So, Alexandar drove a spear through him in rage, then went to his tent for two weeks and would not come out being in horrible grief over it.
Yes. PTSD was not looked at or studied in those days like today. It strikes dark quick deadly as one goes down a black hole quickly and then things like this happens.
But, hey part of being a ruler and leader. Comes with the territory. Don't want PTSD, become a priest or social worker, right? lol
Ivan's 'Terrible' is a mistranslation of the Russian word for fearsome.
Around the same time, Henry VIII was killing his wives, his advisers, and sacking the monasteries. Is he called 'Terrible'? No. They make a stage musical about his many wives. Other contemporary European leaders were equally brutal. But the Russian guy is a demon?
lol so true. Concur Louis. English have always had a fear and loathing of the Russians it seems even to this day. Guess it comes from the English guy Mackinder who said Russia is the heartland control it and you control the world? ok whatever sounds good, another PHD paper to be written and put out by academia?
An exciting tale from start to finish, thanks for writing it up. Great context to learn!
Rulers are not allowed to be nice. If you want to be nice become a priest or social worker, not a ruler or leader. As anyone from the street knows respect has to be had. Nice? maybe allowed in quite secret moments.
Reminds me of Alexander the Great driving a spear through his favorite right hand generals chest sitting around the fire drunk after a big battle. The General was teasing Alexander about him not even being close to the general and leader Alexander's father Philip II of Macedon was. So, Alexandar drove a spear through him in rage, then went to his tent for two weeks and would not come out being in horrible grief over it.
Yes. PTSD was not looked at or studied in those days like today. It strikes dark quick deadly as one goes down a black hole quickly and then things like this happens.
But, hey part of being a ruler and leader. Comes with the territory. Don't want PTSD, become a priest or social worker, right? lol
Hard times = hard men
Really enjoyed this read. Thank you ~
Glad you liked it!
Wonderful.
As I've come to expect
Thank you, David!
This was magnificent, thank you sharing
That was a great read. Very enlightening without leaving out the dirty truths.
Ivan's 'Terrible' is a mistranslation of the Russian word for fearsome.
Around the same time, Henry VIII was killing his wives, his advisers, and sacking the monasteries. Is he called 'Terrible'? No. They make a stage musical about his many wives. Other contemporary European leaders were equally brutal. But the Russian guy is a demon?
lol so true. Concur Louis. English have always had a fear and loathing of the Russians it seems even to this day. Guess it comes from the English guy Mackinder who said Russia is the heartland control it and you control the world? ok whatever sounds good, another PHD paper to be written and put out by academia?
Henry VIII was terrible…just ask any one of his wives.