Numerous impostors make world history more interesting. They impersonate a previously lived person in order to seize power or obtain material gain. In Russia, the era of the Time of Troubles and the period of palace coups were rich in impostors.
Instructions
Step 1
After the death of Ivan the Terrible, False Dmitrys "reached out" to Moscow. Three impostors are officially known, but some sources indicate the existence of five false princes. Dmitry was the youngest son of Ivan VI, was allegedly killed by the "people" of Boris Godunov. False Dmitry I - the monk Grigory Otrepiev, who posed as a miracle of the escaped prince, he managed to ascend the throne and rule the state for a whole year. Later he was killed by the boyars. Immediately after his death, another False Dmitry appeared, posing as the first False Dmitry, who escaped the wrath of the boyars. However, neither he nor the other impostors made it to Moscow.
Step 2
There were many impostors who pretended to be Peter III, removed from the throne by his wife Catherine II. After his death, False Peter went to Moscow with an army of 1,500, but he was caught and sent to eternal hard labor. Catherine II treated the impostors lightly and ironically. Until Emelyan Pugachev appeared, the most famous False Peter, who unleashed the Peasant War.
Step 3
The first known impostor in the world was Gaumata. He seized power in 522 BC. in Persia. The legitimate king Cambyses was at that time on a military campaign in Egypt. Gaumata called himself Bardia - the younger brother of the emperor. He was killed by Cambyses shortly before the campaign. The impostor ruled the empire for 7 months. After being caught in a lie, Gaumata was destroyed along with those close to him.
Step 4
Also, the emperor Nero, in addition to an unstable state and a bad reputation, left after the death of three False Neroes. But none of them reached the throne. Although one of them called himself Nero for 11 years and had many supporters.
Step 5
The story of Joan of Arc also continues. Five years after the execution of the French heroine, False Jeanne appeared in one of the cities of France. She was recognized by many nobles and brothers d'Arc. Jeanne got married and gave birth to two children. She was always given a magnificent reception and bestowed with honors. Over time, the impostor confessed to the lie and repented. But there is still debate over whether she was a real Jeanne or not.
Step 6
There are impostors in history who pretended to be princes or heirs to a fictional state. Some of them collected money, ostensibly for the return of the throne, which they were unjustly deprived of. Among such well-known impostors, it is worth noting Ivan Trevogin, posing as the prince of the nonexistent kingdom of Golconda, the princess Karabou, who presented herself as a princess from distant countries, and George Salmanzar, who declared himself a native of the island of Formos.
