tsarinas

A tsarina was the empress or queen consort of a tsar, the ruler of Russia, Bulgaria, or Serbia. The title of tsarina was derived from the Latin title Caesar, reflecting the historical claim of Russian rulers to be successors to the Roman Empire. The first Russian ruler to be styled as Tsar was Ivan IV in 1547, and his wife was the first tsarina. Tsarinas typically played a significant role in court life and were often patrons of the arts and sciences. Some tsarinaș also held considerable political influence, particularly during periods of male regency or weak imperial leadership. Notable examples include Catherine I, empress consort of Peter the Great, and Catherine the Great, who eventually ruled as empress regnant in her own right. The institution of the tsarina came to an end with the abolition of the Russian monarchy in 1917.