Peter III, Emperor of Russia for a mere six months in 1762, remains a figure shrouded in controversy and mystery, particularly concerning the circumstances of his death. While history books recount his deposition by his wife, Catherine the Great, the question of Who Assassinated Peter Iii Of Russia lingers, prompting debate and speculation centuries later. His brief reign and abrupt end mark a pivotal moment in Russian history, leading to the ascension of one of its most famous rulers, but also leaving behind a trail of unanswered questions about the true nature of his demise.
Peter III’s Unpopularity and Downfall: A Reign Destined for Ruin
Born into the House of Holstein-Gottorp and christened Karl Peter Ulrich, Peter III’s Russian heritage came through his mother, Anna Petrovna, daughter of Peter the Great. Brought to Russia by his aunt, Empress Elizabeth, and declared heir to the throne, Peter’s upbringing did little to endear him to the Russian court or its people. Mentally described as feeble and an ardent admirer of Prussia, Peter III quickly alienated key factions upon becoming Emperor in January 1762.
His pro-Prussian stance was perhaps his most politically damaging trait. Immediately upon ascending the throne, Peter reversed Russia’s foreign policy, pulling out of the Seven Years’ War against Prussia. This move, perceived as a betrayal of Russian sacrifices and strategic interests, sparked outrage among the military and political elite. Further fueling discontent, Peter formed an alliance with Prussia and planned war against Denmark to reclaim Schleswig for his native Holstein. Such policies were viewed as prioritizing foreign interests over Russia’s own, eroding any semblance of popular support he might have initially possessed.
![Peter III of Russia portrait. Alt text: Peter III of Russia, a portrait showcasing the emperor in regal attire, reflecting his brief and tumultuous reign in the 18th century. Keywords: Peter III, Russian Emperor, portrait, 18th century Russia, Romanov dynasty.]
Beyond foreign policy blunders, Peter III’s personal conduct and domestic policies further contributed to his downfall. He openly disdained Russian customs and traditions, favoring all things Prussian. He offended the powerful Russian Orthodox Church by attempting to introduce Lutheran practices and alienated the Imperial Guard by imposing stricter service requirements and threatening their disbandment. Even his popular decree relieving the gentry from mandatory state service failed to garner widespread support amidst the growing wave of resentment. His marriage to Catherine was also strained, marked by mutual disrespect and political maneuvering. Catherine, intelligent and ambitious, found herself increasingly at odds with her erratic and unpopular husband.
The Coup and Abdication: Catherine’s Rise to Power
By the summer of 1762, Peter III had successfully managed to antagonize almost every significant power group in Russia. Catherine, fearing Peter’s plans to divorce her and recognizing the widespread dissatisfaction, began to conspire with influential figures, including her lover Grigory Orlov and his brothers, among whom was Aleksey Orlov. On July 9, 1762, the conspiracy unfolded. Catherine, backed by the Imperial Guard, declared herself Empress. Facing no significant resistance, Peter III, residing at Oranienbaum, was compelled to abdicate the following day, July 10. He was arrested and taken into custody at Ropsha, a short distance from St. Petersburg.
The Death of Peter III: Assassination or Natural Causes?
Just days after his abdication, on July 18, 1762, official word spread that Peter III had died. The official cause of death was attributed to “hemorrhoidal colic,” or severe hemorrhoids, a diagnosis widely considered dubious at the time and ever since. The circumstances surrounding his death in Ropsha, while under the guard of Aleksey Orlov, strongly suggest foul play.
While Catherine II publicly mourned her husband and maintained the official story of death by natural causes, few believed it. Rumors of assassination quickly circulated and have persisted throughout history. Aleksey Orlov, in a letter to Catherine, alluded to an accidental brawl leading to Peter’s death, a claim that strains credulity. It is widely suspected that Aleksey Orlov, acting on the orders or with the tacit approval of Catherine, was directly involved in Peter III’s assassination.
So, who assassinated Peter III of Russia? While definitive proof remains elusive, circumstantial evidence points heavily towards a conspiracy orchestrated by Catherine the Great, with the likely execution carried out by Aleksey Orlov and potentially others involved in the coup. Catherine benefited most from Peter’s death, solidifying her grip on power and eliminating a potential threat to her reign. Although she was never formally accused and no direct evidence has surfaced to definitively link her to the assassination, history strongly suggests her complicity, making the demise of Peter III one of the most debated and darkly intriguing mysteries of the Romanov dynasty. The question of who assassinated Peter III of Russia therefore, while lacking a fully documented answer, strongly implicates the very woman who replaced him on the throne, Catherine the Great.
