the Image of Peter Great in Russian History and Thought

The image of Peter the Great, Tsar of Russia from 1689 to 1725, has been a central theme of Russian history, art and literature. This study draws on Russian historical accounts, folklore and the arts to demonstrate how the image of Peter has reflected the changing cultural values of Russian people. The image of Peter the Great casts a long shadow in modern Russian thought and culture. As important to modern Russia as the French Revolution is to France and the Reformation is to Germany, the image of this militaristic ruler, founder of St Petersburg, and czar of all Russia from 1689-1725 has been central to Russian history, literature, and art since the early 1700s. Riasanovsky, one of the foremost historians of Russia, traces the development of this image from 1700 to the present. Drawing examples from Russian historical accounts, literature, folklore, and the arts, he shows how the use of the image of Peter has reflected the changing cultural and political values of the Russian people.