Catherine II, Empress of Russia, c.1765 (oil on canvas)

Yekaterina Alexeyevna (1729 – 1796), was the most renowned and the longest-ruling female leader of Russia, reigning from 1762 until her death in 1796 at the age of 67. She is one of the three women commonly referred to as "The Great", the others being Tamar of Georgia and Gertrude the Great. 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 revitalized under her reign, growing larger and stronger than ever and becoming recognized as one of the great powers of Europe.