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[[File:Ivan the terrible.png|thumb|201px|right]] {{Quote|Ivan the Terrible waged a forty-year war on his own country, Russia. Thousands were slaughtered. He devised cruel, sadistic punishments in his personal torture chamber. He watched prisoners flayed, boiled, and even fried. He destroyed villages, towns, and an entire city. He stabbed his son to death in a fit of rage...all in the name of God.|Introduction to a Discovery Channel documentary about Ivan the Terrible}}
[[File:Ivan the terrible.png|thumb|301px|right]] {{Quote|Ivan the Terrible waged a forty-year war on his own country, Russia. Thousands were slaughtered. He devised cruel, sadistic punishments in his personal torture chamber. He watched prisoners flayed, boiled, and even fried. He destroyed villages, towns, and an entire city. He stabbed his son to death in a fit of rage...all in the name of God.|Introduction to a Discovery Channel documentary about Ivan the Terrible}}


'''Ivan IV Vasilyevich''', infamously known as '''Ivan 'the Terrible'''', (August 25, 1530 - March 18, 1584) was the first Czar of Russia. He lived during the 16th Century and was one of the most horrific leaders who have ever lived. He is known for killing large amounts of people, including his own son, often in extremely brutal and sadistic ways. Despite his actions, he was initially a good ruler according to some, but went mad with grief and anger when his first wife, whom he deeply loved, died. Also, despite his sadism, he truly believed that he was doing what God wanted him to do.
'''Ivan IV Vasilyevich''', infamously known as '''Ivan 'the Terrible'''', (August 25, 1530 - March 18, 1584) was the first Czar of Russia. He lived during the 16th Century and was one of the most horrific leaders who have ever lived. He is known for killing large amounts of people, including his own son, often in extremely brutal and sadistic ways. Despite his actions, he was initially a good ruler according to some, but went mad with grief and anger when his first wife, whom he deeply loved, died. Also, despite his sadism, he truly believed that he was doing what God wanted him to do.
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Ultimately, he was brought to his senses after accidentally killing his favorite son when the latter tried to stop him from hurting his wife. Overcome with remorse and guilt, Ivan became good. He began praying shamelessly for forgiveness for his misdeeds; he sent out lists of his victims to various churches, asking the priests to pray for their souls, and shut down the'' Oprichniki''. Ivan died in 1584, and was succeeded by his younger son, who is known today as having been mentally retarded, dimwitted, and childless. The exact cause of his death is unknown, as some people believed he was poisoned by members of the nobility; however, Ivan was known for consuming mercury, which may have led to his death (it also happened to be one of the root causes of his habitual violent outbursts). 
Ultimately, he was brought to his senses after accidentally killing his favorite son when the latter tried to stop him from hurting his wife. Overcome with remorse and guilt, Ivan became good. He began praying shamelessly for forgiveness for his misdeeds; he sent out lists of his victims to various churches, asking the priests to pray for their souls, and shut down the'' Oprichniki''. Ivan died in 1584, and was succeeded by his younger son, who is known today as having been mentally retarded, dimwitted, and childless. The exact cause of his death is unknown, as some people believed he was poisoned by members of the nobility; however, Ivan was known for consuming mercury, which may have led to his death (it also happened to be one of the root causes of his habitual violent outbursts). 
==Links==
==Links==