Ivan The Great

Ivan the Great, also known as Ivan III, was a Grand Prince of Moscow from 1462 to 1505 who played a crucial role in unifying Russian territories and expanding Moscow's influence. He ended the dominance of the Mongol-Tatar Golden Horde over Russia, laying the foundation for a centralized Russian state. Ivan adopted Byzantine symbols, such as the double-headed eagle, after marrying Sophia Palaiologina, a Byzantine princess, which helped establish Moscow as the "Third Rome" and a center of Eastern Orthodox Christianity. His actions set the stage for the rise of Russia as a major power in Eastern Europe. Today, his vision of a unified Russian state influences national pride, and the double-headed eagle remains a symbol of the Russian Federation, reminding us of the enduring impact of his reign on Russian identity and culture.