'I surpassed in iniquities all of the transgressors from Adam to this day...I have desecrated my very head with unseemly desires and thought; my mouth with murderous and lustful words; my tongue with obscenity and profanity, with uttering words of anger and wrath; my hands for reaching for what I should not, with insatiable robbery' This extract from the will of Ivan IV of Russia, which he wrote in 1 572, and which is translated in George Vernadsky's history of Russia, provides a justification for the traditional view of Ivan the Terrible. His lengthy reign was an odd combination at home of sensible reform in the 1550s followed by the horror and barbarism of the 1560s and 1570s. In foreign policy, a neat parallel can be seen; there were early triumphs against the Tatars in the 1550s which were followed by the costly and ultimately fruitless Livonian War. Interest in Ivan lies both in an examination of his own personality and motivation and of his role in Russian history. He can be seen as a clear example of the typical Russian autocrat, who strangely combined sensible and progressive ideas with outbursts of irrational and sadistic brutality. He can also be seen as ruling the country at a vital time in its history when it began to emerge as a major power and also to develop internally in a curious and unique, fashion. This study guide is suitable for first year university students, or those in their final year of high school, or for anyone interest in Ivan the Terrible. Topics covered include: Russia before the accession of Ivan IV, the reigns of Ivan III and Basil III, Ivan IV's early years, his coronation, the conquest of Kazan, the foreign policy of Muscovy, the Treaty of Yam Zapolsky, the Livornian War, domestic reforms, the Oprichmina, and more.