ABOUT THIS PRODUCT
It is generally assumed that the military reforms which propelled Russia into the modern world were due solely to the genius of Peter the Great. In fact, his reforms were built upon changes that had taken place during the previous 200 years, since the creation in 1550 of Russia's first full-time military force - the streltsi - by Ivan IV the Terrible. This account traces Russia's armies from that beginning, through the creation of paid regular regiments from1630, up to the reign of Peter the Great. It is illustrated with rare early drawings, photos of surviving artifacts, and dazzling colour reconstructions of exotic military costumes.

CONTENTS

• Introduction: Russia in the 16th and 17th centuries
• Chronology 16th Century
• Eastern expansion
• Noble cavalry
• Artillery
• New threats and horizons in the late 16th century
• The 'time of troubles'
• 17th century armies
• Arms Production
• Fortifications
• The Navy
• Army of the Principality of Great Lithuania