Ivan the Terrible was actually Ivan IV, or Ivan Vasilyevich. If you are Russian, you will probably call him Ivan Grozny, which means Ivan the Terrible.
When Ivan was 16 years old, he became the first czar of Russia (1547-1584.)
Ivan the Terrible — His Strengths
Despite his cruelty, Ivan the Terrible improved Russia's governmental administration and contributed to the nation's culture.
Ivan was also a skillful writer with a talent for biting sarcasm. He was eager to maintain political relations with Europe and was a devout adherent of the Orthodox Church.
Because of its Orthodox religion, after Constantinople, Moscow became the Third Rome. Its ruler was referred to as czar (from the word caesar).
Ivan IV the Terrible — His Family
Ivan was a member of the Rurik Dynasty.
Ivan's grandfather was Ivan III the Great.
Ivan's father was the Grand Duke Vasily III of Moscow. His mother was Yelena Glinskaya. Ivan's mother died in 1538, allegedly by poison.
Ivan's spouse was Anastasia Romanovna. They married in 1547 and she died in 1560. Ivan seemed especially off-balance after Anastasia's death. He then married six more times, disposing of unwanted wives quickly.
