Scenarios of Power: Myth and Ceremony in Russian Monarchy from Peter the Great to the Abdication of Nicholas II - New Abridged One-Volume Edition (Studies ... Harriman Institute, Columbia University)

This new and abridged edition of Scenarios of Power is a concise version of Richard Wortman's award-winning study of Russian monarchy from the seventeenth century until 1917. The author breaks new ground by showing how imperial ceremony and imagery were not simply displays of the majesty of the sovereign and his entourage, but also instruments central to the exercise of absolute power in a multinational empire. In developing this interpretation, Wortman presents vivid descriptions of coronations, funerals, parades, trips through the realm, and historical celebrations and reveals how these ceremonies were constructed or reconstructed to fit the political and cultural narratives in the lives and reigns of successive tsars. He describes the upbringing of the heirs as well as their roles in these narratives and relates their experiences to the persistence of absolute monarchy in Russia long after its demise in Europe. Contents 5 Illustration 7 Abbreviations 9 Prefatory Note 11 Introduction. Scenario of Power 13 PART ONE. The European Myth 21 CHAPTER ONE. Signs of Empire 21 CHAPTER TWO. Peter the Great 33 CHAPTER THREE. Olympian Scenarios 52 CHAPTER FOUR. The Education of Princes and the Dilemma of Neoclassicism 85 CHAPTER FIVE. The Emperor Paul I 97 CHAPTER SIX. The Angel on the Throne 110 CHAPTER SEVEN. Nicholas I 132 CHAPTER EIGHT. Epitomes of the Nation 154 CHAPTER NINE. Parents and Son 178 CHAPTER TEN. Alexander II and the Scenario of Love 201 CHAPTER ELEVEN. The Tsar-Emancipator 217 CHAPTER TWELVE. The Crisis of Autocracy 231 PART TWO: A National Myth 255 CHAPTER THIRTEEN. The Making of a Russian Tsar 257 CHAPTER FOURTEEN. The Inauguration of a National Myth 275 CHAPTER FIFTEEN. The Resurrection of Muscovy 294 CHAPTER SIXTEEN. The Life and Death of a Russian Tsar 315 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN. Nicholas II as Heir and Husband 329 CHAPTER EIGHTEEN. The Accession and Coronation of Nicholas II 346 CHAPTER NINETEEN. Demonstrations of Godliness 359 CHAPTER TWENTY. Nicholas II and the Revolution of 1905 373 CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE. Historical Celebrations 389 CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO. Nicholas II and World War I 409 Conclusion 423 Notes 427 Bibliographical Note 461 Index 465 This new and abridged edition of "Scenarios of Power" is a concise version of Richard Wortman's award-winning study of Russian monarchy from the seventeenth century until 1917. The author breaks new ground by showing how imperial ceremony and imagery were not simply displays of the majesty of the sovereign and his entourage, but also instruments central to the exercise of absolute power in a multinational empire. In developing this interpretation, Wortman present vivid descriptions of coronations, funerals, parades, trips through the realm, and historical celebrations and reveals how these ceremonies were constructed or reconstructed to fit the political and cultural narratives in the lives and reigns of successive tsars. He describes the upbringing of the heirs as well as their roles in these narratives and relates their experiences to the persistence of absolute monarchy in Russia long after its demise in Europe. -- From publisher's description The European myth Signs of empire Peter the Great Olympian scenarios The education of princes and the deilemma of neoclassicism The Emperor Paul I The angel on the throne Nicholas I Epitomes of the nation Parents and son Alexandar II and the scenario of love The tsar-emancipator The crisis of autocracy A national myth The making of a Russian tsar The inauguration of a national myth The resurrection of Muscovy The life and death of a Russian tsar Nicholas II as heir and husband The accession and coronation of Nicholas II Demonstrations of godliness Nicholas II and the Revolution of 1905 Historical celebrations Nicholas II and World War I. Presents descriptions of coronations, funerals, parades, trips through the realm, and historical celebrations. This book reveals how these ceremonies were constructed or reconstructed to fit the political and cultural narratives in the lives and reigns of successive tsars. It also describes the upbringing of the heirs as well as their roles.