Catherine the Great was described as an autocratic ruler who introduced limited reforms but retained absolute power.
Catherine II, also refered to as Catherine the Great and named Princess Sophie of Anhalt-Zerbst when born, was Empress of Russia from 1762 until 1796, the country's longest-ruling female leader. She reached power after a coup d'état which she organized.
Under her reign, Russia was revitalized; it grew larger and stronger and was recognized as one of the great powers of Europe.
