So today I was trying to figure out why people call Ivan the Terrible, well… terrible. Always heard the name but never really knew the story behind it. Started simple: just typed his name into my laptop late last night, beer in hand, expecting some cartoon villain stuff. Boy was I wrong.
The Search Begins
First website said he killed his own son. My reaction? No way, that can’t be right. Like who does that? Checked three more pages—same damn story everywhere. Even some old Russian paintings showed it. Started feeling kinda queasy, honestly. Wasn’t the fun history rabbit hole I planned.
Digging Deeper
Found this biography that talked about his childhood. Little Ivan was basically an orphan super early. Parents died when he was a kid—dad from illness, mom probably poisoned by nobles fighting for power. Grew up watching people get thrown off towers, murdered at dinner tables. Real messed up environment. Thought to myself: “Damn, no therapist back then huh?”
What really got me:
- Lost his first wife young—believed she was poisoned too. Broke him bad.
- Created his own secret police force (Oprichniki). These guys wore black robes, rode black horses, carried dog heads and brooms like “we’ll sniff you out and sweep you away.” Creepy as hell.
- Massacred whole cities because he thought they betrayed him. Novgorod got it worst—streets ran red for weeks. Felt sick reading that part.
The Son Part
Here’s the kicker though. His son—also named Ivan—was his favorite kid. Smart, capable, next in line. But Old Ivan was paranoid 24/7. Thought everyone betrayed him. One day they argued about something stupid—maybe his daughter-in-law’s clothes? Ivan Senior lost his temper, swung his staff… cracked the kid’s skull open.
Stared at my screen like: “He WHAT?”. Imagine beating your own heir to death over a petty fight. Son died slowly days later while Ivan Sr. cried by his bedside begging God for forgiveness. Too little, too late man. This is why Russia’s future collapsed right after—no competent heir left.
My Takeaway
Thought for hours after. Yeah he did monstrous things—earned that “Terrible” name fair. But sitting there with my cold coffee, dawn light creeping in… Felt strangely sad? Dude was basically raised by wolves in a royal cage. Traumatized kid becomes paranoid tyrant. Doesn’t excuse any horror he caused—but wow, it ain’t just black-and-white evil.
Whole research changed how I see “villains” now. Sometimes monsters are made, not born. Would I want to meet Ivan? Hell no. But understanding why? That’s where real history hits hardest. Anyway—off to hug my own kid extra tight tonight.
