One of the Important Tsar in Russian History 1400s-1500s,

Ivan III the Great

1. Who is Ivan III?

Ivan III the Great was the Tsar of the Muscovy. He was born on 22 January 1440 and died on 27 October 1505. He was a grand prince of Moscow and all of Russia. Ivan III was the son of Vasily II and Maria of Borovsk.

2. Ivan III's rule

He ruled Russia from 1462 to 1505. He was both the first titled 'Tsar' and an expansionist. When he was young, he was co-ruler which helped him to become an efficient leader. During his first ten years as co-ruler, he followed his father to learn build leadership. It made him serve as a great leader because he was able to become skillful in various fields such as wars, threats, influence, diplomacy. He took the throne at age 22 and first five years of his rule was peaceful.

3. Ivan III's wives

Since Ivan III became ruler at age six, he married Maria Princess of Tver at age twelve. The marriage was arranged by Ivan's family's desire for land. After Maria's death in 1467, he married a niece of the Byzantine emperor, Zoe(Sophia) Palaeologa. She introduced Byzantine custom.