ABSTRACT

The Russian victory at the battle of Poltava was celebrated with vigour, enthusiasm and relief. Public celebrations featured classical images of Peter as Hercules, triumphal arches and Roman historical references, fireworks and parades. The publication at home and abroad of engravings, maps and battle depictions trumpeted the news to those unable to attend. 1 Poltava was the end of an old era and the start of a new, self-consciously European one. Foreigners as well as Russians were quick to grasp the emergence of a newly confident north-European power. Less obvious after Poltava was Russia’s move away from Peter’s ad hoc military changes to the institutionalization of its new abilities.