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Catherine the Great was born in Germany from "summary" of Catherine the Great by Robert K. Massie
Catherine the Great, a name synonymous with power and intrigue, began her life far from the opulent palaces of Russia. She was born in Stettin, a small Prussian town that is now part of Poland. Her birth name was Sophia Augusta Frederica, and she belonged to the German noble family of Anhalt-Zerbst. Growing up in the German countryside, Catherine received a thorough education that would later serve her well in her role as Empress of Russia. Her father, Christian Augustus, was a prince of modest means, but he made sure that his daughter was well-educated in literature, music, and languages. It was in Stettin that Catherine's destiny began to take shape. At the age of 14, she was summoned to Russia by Empress Elizabeth, the childless daughter of Peter the Great. Elizabeth had chosen Sophia Augusta Frederica as a potential bride for her nephew and heir, Peter III. The young princess made the journey to Russia, leaving behind her family and the familiar surroundings of her German home. Upon her arrival in St. Petersburg, she was baptized into the Russian Orthodox Church and given the new name Catherine. Catherine's marriage to Peter III marked the beginning of her transformation from a German princess into one of the most powerful women in history. Despite their rocky relationship, Catherine learned to navigate the treacherous waters of the Russian court and eventually seized power for herself in a dramatic coup. Through her intelligence, ambition, and sheer force of will, Catherine the Great rose to become the ruler of the vast Russian Empire. Her German origins may have shaped her early years, but it was her reign in Russia that would secure her place in history as one of the most formidable and influential leaders of her time.
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