Catherine the Great was a German born sexy Russian woman. She was young and could not re-marry. Her libido was well known everywhere. She has entered the history with a reputation of having young lovers, conveniently supplied by her ex-lover prince Potemkin (also famous for the expression "Potemkin village" synonymous to "window dressing"). In the West it would be called pimping – not so in Russia! As far as Russians concerned, Empress had a need for companionship and it was satisfied. If you wish to learn more about her amorous affairs then come on the tour.

However, she was not unique in her amorous affairs. Peters the Great and Elizaveta Petrovna were also very active in such affairs. They all were very tolerant to drunkenness, theft and debauchery. That brings us to the Russian public administration style topic, but let’s continue with royal business.

Catherine corresponded with the philosophers in France and studied Roman history. She had a sharp sense of beauty and vision. Her personal behavior can be explained if one would look at foreigners that settled in Russia in 1990^th. Much of what is condemned and nagged at in Europe and US is embraced and tolerated in Russia. Westerners relieved of self-censorship or religious constrains jump right into what they would never even think of doing at home. Same thing has happened to the German-born Empress.