The couples loveless marriage afforded Catherine ample opportunity to pursue her intellectual interests, from reading the work of Enlightenment thinkers to perfecting her grasp of Russian. This reversal aroused the frustration and enmity of the powerful Zubovs and other officers who took part in the campaign: many of them would be among the conspirators who arranged Paul's murder five years later.[39]. 2, part 2, Chapter 3, V]. [5] In accordance with the custom then prevailing in the ruling dynasties of Germany, she received her education chiefly from a French governess and from tutors. According to History, sexual deviancy has often been tagged to women either in power or who are seeking to change society, among them Cleopatra, Anne Boleyn,and Catherine the Great, among others.Catherine took the throne following the death of Peter and in lieu of their son, Paul, who was only 8 at the time. The church's lands were expropriated, and the budget of both monasteries and bishoprics were controlled by the Collegium of Accounting. She read widely and corresponded with many of the prominent thinkers of the era, including Voltaire and Diderot. Catherine was stretched on a ceremonial bed surrounded by the coats of arms of all the towns in Russia. Isabel De Madariaga, "Catherine the Great." By the end of her reign, 50 provinces and nearly 500 districts were created, government officials numbering more than double this were appointed, and spending on local government increased sixfold. If a noble did not live up to his side of the deal, the serfs could file complaints against him by following the proper channels of law. [CDATA[// >
