The historical role of Peter the Great (1672-1725) is enormous. He was proclaimed a national genius, educator, savior of Russia, revolutionary, “Napoleon and Robespierre” (Pushkin), called the Antichrist, a hater of everything Russian, a destroyer and a blasphemer. The legendary reformer tsar radically changed the course of Russian history. Having defeated Sweden and introduced the progressive achievements of the West into Russian society, Peter expanded the geographical, cultural and economic borders of his country. Russia began to play a key role in the international arena and acquired the status of a great empire.