We have been taught since school that Peter the Great is the greatest figure in our history. They say that before him, Russia was backward and wild, and Peter, not having time to ascend the throne, immediately carried out grandiose reforms, created a powerful Empire and an invincible army, established new morals in society, promoted enlightenment, etc. etc... and in general, what would we all do without him! But it’s worth looking away from school textbooks and analyzing genuine historical sources - and we will find that in pre-Petrine Russia of the 17th century there was already everything that is attributed to Peter: from potatoes and tobacco to an excellent fleet and a completely modern army for that time. In fact, Peter did not create, but destroyed the Russian fleet. Peter's reforms led to the collapse of the economy, incredible chaos in government and the death of millions of people. And in place of the rich and democratic Muscovy, a poor, primitive slave-owning state arose. The myth of Peter the Great and his “European reforms” still lives in books and in souls. It is high time to destroy this dangerous lie that prevents us from knowing and respecting our ancestors.