Ivan the Terrible vs Umberto II of Italy

Ivan IV was crowned as the first Tsar of All Russia, adopting the title of Caesar. This coronation asserted Russia's independence from Mongol influence and claimed imperial status. It marked the beginning of centralized autocratic rule in Russia.

Ivan IV led a Russian army to conquer the Khanate of Kazan, ending Tatar rule in the Volga region. The siege lasted several weeks and resulted in the annexation of the khanate. This victory opened the way for Russian expansion into Siberia and the Caspian region.

Ivan IV launched a war against the Livonian Confederation to gain access to the Baltic Sea. The war lasted 25 years and involved Poland-Lithuania, Sweden, and Denmark. It ended in Russian defeat, with Ivan failing to secure a Baltic port.

Ivan IV created the Oprichnina, a separate territory and state apparatus under his direct control. He used the Oprichniki, a corps of secret police, to eliminate his political opponents. This policy led to widespread terror, executions, and confiscation of lands.

Ivan IV led the Oprichniki in a brutal campaign against the city of Novgorod, suspected of treason. Thousands of inhabitants were killed, and the city was looted and destroyed. This massacre broke the power of Novgorod and terrorized the Russian population.

Ivan IV struck and killed his eldest son and heir, Ivan Ivanovich, during an argument. The tsarevich died from his injuries days later. This event left Russia without a capable successor and contributed to the Time of Troubles after Ivan's death.

Umberto II became King of Italy upon his father Victor Emmanuel III's abdication. His reign lasted only 34 days, from May 9 to June 12, 1946, during the constitutional referendum on the monarchy.

Umberto II accepted the results of the referendum that abolished the monarchy in favor of a republic. He went into exile in Portugal, never returning to Italy, ending the Savoy dynasty's rule.

Umberto II settled in Cascais, Portugal, after the monarchy was abolished. He lived there for the rest of his life, never abdicating his claim to the throne, and became a symbolic figure for Italian monarchists.