S20·E11 Peter the Great: The Tyrant Reformer

Towering over his people, he was a physical giant determined to shatter tradition and force his nation into the modern world. By the time Peter the Great was finished building cities and conquering nations, Russia had become a full-fledged empire. Biography traces the story of this strange and enigmatic figure, from his childhood war games to the creation of one of the world's most beautiful cities. Peter established a navy, westernized the army, and brought science, culture, and medicine to Russia, yet he was also a ruthless and brutal leader, known for torturing and executing his own son. Learn of his bizarre interests, including dentistry and an "All Drinking Senate", and witness Russia's vast expansion. Myriad interviews, extensive location footage, and period excerpts and art illuminate the world of Peter the Great, the czar who forged an empire.