Ivan The Terrible Timeline

Birth of Ivan

Sep 3, 1530

Ivan the Terrible was born on September 3rd, 1530 in the Grand Duchy of Muscovy Russia. He was born to his father, Basil III who was the Grand Duke at the time and to his mother, Elena Glinskaya who would be a future ruler. His only sibling was Yuri Vasilievich who was deaf. This event is significant because Ivan will later inherit the throne and become a ruler of Russia. Source: (Rice 157)

Grand Duke

Dec 4, 1533

When Ivan the Terrible's father, Basil III died in 1533, Ivan was proclaimed as the Grand Duke of Russia. His mother Elena ruled in his place until her death in 1538. This event is significant because this would later lead him to inherit the throne when his mother passed. Source: (Biography.com)

On the Revolution of Heavenly Bodies written

1543

In 1543, an astronomer and polish scholar named Nicolaus Copernicus published On the Revolution of Heavenly Bodies. In this book, he describes his theory that the earth revolves around the sun. This was risky due to the many people that would doubt him. This was important because his theories influenced Galileo Galilei, Isaac Newton, and many others to continue to study about space and other scientific topics. Source: (worldtimeline.info)

First European Botanical Garden

Oct 17, 1545

In 1545, Europes first botanical garden was made. It is regarded as the most ancient university garden in the world. It is located in Italy and houses mostly medical plants and herbs. This is important because it cleared a path for other countries and places to build botanical gardens. In turn the gardens can be helpful for providing plants and herbs for medical reasons. Source: (worldtimeline.info)

Czar Ivan

Jan 16, 1547

On January 16, 1547 Ivan was crowned as the first Russian czar of Muscovy. He was about 17 at the time he was crowned. Also the same year he chose a Romanov, Anastasia Romanovna, to be his wife. This event is significant because he was now the highest power in Russia and would lead on to be a ruthless ruler. Source: (

First English Historical Drama

1548

In 1548, John Bale made a book called Kynge Johan. It was the first english historical drama ever made. John Bale also wrote other literature works such as Sports Geography and Sport, Space and the City. This was important because making Kynge Johan paved a way for future literature improvements and made the genre of historical drama relevant in literature. Source: (worldtimeline.info)

Russian National Assembly

Nov 9, 1550

In 1549, Ivan appointed many people into his council. This started the constructive time of his reign. During this time, Ivan reformed tax collections, regions and church reforms. It was the first national assembly in Russia. This is important because it was the first national assembly for Russia and it also helped Ivan make many of the decisions that he made in the future. Source: (britannica.com)

Conquering of Kazan

1552

In 1552, Ivan led all of his troops to Kazan. In Kazan, Ivan took over the Tartar stronghold. They then waited there until the Tartar surrendered. This even is significant because it extended the territory Muscovy had into the eastern Urals and the southern Caspian sea. This created a big buffer zone against the Mongols Source: (Thomas&Lee 157)

First Scientific Society

1560

In 1560, the first scientific society was founded in Naples. It was founded by Giambattista della Porta who was an Italian scholar and an avid science lover. Eventually he was forced to close it by the Pope on suspicion of sorcery. This creation of the scientific society is important because it advanced science and technology in that age and led to it being a major subject in later years. Source: (worldtimeline.info)

Organist at Lincoln Cathedral

1563

In 1563, William Byrd composed a work of music called Organist at Lincoln Cathedral which was his most famous song. William also did something no composer had ever done. He had made latin texted works for the Catholic Church and also used texted service music for use at Elizabeth I‘s Chapel. This was important because no one had ever made text and music at the same time and Byrd was the first in his generation to do that. He ultimately led other composers to do the same thing.

Ivan's Reign of Terror

Dec 23, 1569

In 1569, Ivan went insane, massacring many people and destroying places. He firstly murdered St. Philip who was the metropolitan of Moscow at the time. He then began his rampage through Great Novgorod which he massacred many people and continued his destruction for about a year. This is important because he killed many people and murdered an important person which struck fear into many people and his barbaric ways will pave a path to his later actions. Source: (Wallace 68)

Massacre

May 14, 1570

In 1570, a year after Ivan's reign of terror had begun, Ivan killed a large amount of people. He had killed about 60,000 people from Novgorod with his Oprichnik. The Oprichnik were his secret police force that he used to kill people mainly. This same year there were public executions in Moscow as well. This event is important because in both cities there were big massacres which depopulated the surrounding areas of Moscow. Source: (academic.mu.edu)

Francis Drake Circumnavigates the Globe

1580

In 1580, Francis Drake returned from his quest to be the first captain to successfully circumnavigate the globe. He set off on his voyage in 1577 and returned in 1580. He was later knighted by Queen Elizabeth I a year later for this impressive feat. He also received 1000 euros which was a good amount for the time. This was important because he was the first person ever to successfully make a journey around the world as a captain. Source: (worldtimeline.info)

Killing of his son

Nov 19, 1581

In 1581, Ivan killed his only son. He did this in a fit of rage in which he struck him with a fatal blow to the head with his iron-tipped staff. This was all because of an argument over the clothes his sons wife wore which Ivan had beat her up for. This was important because it showed how bad of a person he was. This proved that he was a ruthless leader. Source: (Rice 135)

Conquering of Siberia

1582

In 1582, Ivan and the Russians conquered and claimed Siberia for the Russians. They used northern routes and entered Siberia by land and sea. Even though the Russians were greatly outnumbered, they prevailed due to good use of organization and their good firearm skills. This event is significant because Russia expanded their eastern borders more than several million kilometers. They also could use Siberia for natural resources to help the Russian economy. Source: (Biography.com)

Ivan The Terrible Death

Mar 18, 1584

In 1584, Ivans health was depleting quickly. He was also obsessed with death at that point and was constantly summoning witches and soothsayers to sustain him, but they didn't help. He eventually died on March 18th due to a stroke. This was important because he had willed his rule to his son, Feodor who was unfit for the job. He would later spiral Russia into tough times.