Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia, inherited the titles of Moscow and all of Russia at the age of three, known as Ivan IV. His character was marked by cruelty, suspicion, and autocracy, earning him the title 'the Terrible.' Before taking control of the government at 17, Ivan IV lived in a dark and treacherous court, which planted the seeds of his violent and distrustful nature. There are lingering suspicions that he may have killed his own son, a mystery that remains unsolved to this day.
One day in 1581, Ivan the Terrible discovered that his son Ivan's wife, Yelena, was wearing only a thin dress, violating the clothing norms for women in Russia at that time. Furious, Ivan the Terrible had a heated argument with his son. It is said that he struck his son several times with a heavy iron staff, leading to Ivan's worsening condition and eventual death. However, Russian historian Skrynny Nikifor argues that Ivan's death was primarily due to illness rather than being killed by the iron staff.
Ivan the Terrible had a complex personality, exhibiting both cruelty and tenderness. After becoming Tsar, he implemented terror tactics, executing many opponents. His tyranny and dictatorship not only displeased the nobility but also instilled fear among the people. In his later years, Ivan the Terrible became increasingly isolated and unpredictable, yet he remained fond of his son Ivan until the tragic and sudden death of his son, which became a historical enigma.
