Paul I thought he was born to save Russia from his monstrous mother, Catherine the Great. Instead, he became one of its worst Tsars.

Tsar Paul I thought he was born to save Russia from his monstrous mother, Catherine the Great. With the confidence only royalty possesses, Paul schemed against his mother for years, then fought to pick apart her entire legacy. But a man as spoiled, hateful, and clueless as Paul was always going to be doomed in the end—I just doubt he expected his demise to be so sudden, or so painful.