Tsar and Infantry!

Peter the Great

Russian Tsar Peter the Great (1672-1725) was in many ways an unusual ruler.

For example, in a battle against the Turks, in 1695, he fought with his soldiers as ordinary infantry believing that in this way he will contribute more to the victory of his own army.

And on one winter day, in 1724, the Tsar saw one of his ship sink. Not thinking that someone else should have done it instead of him, he immediately jumped into the icy water to help saving people from the ship.

Since he spent a lot of time in cold water, the Tsar got cold and fever.

Devoted Peter the Great died a few weeks later.