Machiavellian Ruler, Ivan the Terrible
Ivan Vasilyevich, Ivan IV, was a Machiavellian ruler called to the throne at the age of three after his father’s death; however, his mother, Yelena Glinskaya, ruled as a surrogate until her death in 1538. Later on, Ivan IV was crowned as Russia’s ruler on January 16, 1547 (Andryev). Later, during the constructive period of Ivan’s reign, he issued many reforms involving self-government, taxes, and religion (“Ivan the Terrible”). After this seemingly calm time, Ivan IV’s iconic rule truly began with the death of his wife, Anastasia (Shaposhnik 75). Ivan IV, later known as Ivan the Terrible, exhibited the qualities of a Machiavellian ruler, because he had extensive military knowledge, because he weakened a stronger force, the nobility, to gain power himself, and because was more feared by his subjects feared than loved.…