Frederick II also known as ‘Frederick the Great’ was a powerful and influential King of Prussia whose reign witnessed several military victories expanding the territories of Prussia. ‘Der Alte Fritz’ (meaning ‘Old Fritz’) as often called by the people of Prussia, he was successful in reorganizing the Prussian army. His leadership not only made Prussia a prominent military power but also one of the greatest states in Europe. He succeeded in the ‘Seven Years’ War’ overcoming great odds. An advocate of enlightened absolutism, he reformed the civil, bureaucratic and judicial system and pursued different religious policies in Prussia though remained prejudiced about the Jews. His reign saw appointments of senior bureaucrats and judges even if they were not of noble origin. He claimed several territories of Poland during the ‘First Partition of Poland’. He remained an icon for the Nazis who glorified him as a great German leader pre-Hitler. He was a great patron of art and architecture but also imposed laws to censor the press. His reign saw construction of several buildings including Berlin State Opera and the palace of Sanssouci among others. A great music lover, he could play the transverse flute and composed several sonatas and symphonies. As he was issueless, his nephew Frederick William II succeeded him.