Ivan IV Vasilyevich, also known as “Ivan the Terrible” or “Ivan the Fearsome,” was the first “tsar” of Russia. The word “tsar,” in Russian, originally derives from "Caesar," symbolizing supreme authority, though it later came to denote a ruler with power and magnificence. Ivan was the “Grand Prince of Moscow” from 1533 to 1547, and established Russia as a multicontinental state by conquering the Khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Sibir. He was also the first Russian ruler to establish central control over the state. Ivan had a complex personality, and some historians believe he suffered from mental illness. He was a voracious reader but was also reported to have tortured animals as a child. Nonetheless, his love for art and literature was undeniable. However, he experienced episodes of violent outbursts throughout his life. His mental instability worsened over time, culminating in the tragic killing of his son, Ivan Ivanovich, during one of his rages. His difficult and lonely childhood likely contributed to his later violent tendencies. Ivan was a ruthless monarch, particularly toward nobles who had mistreated him as a child. He remains one of the most controversial figures in Russian history.