Charles XII of Sweden

ModernGeneralSweden1682 — 1718

Swedish military genius who fought the Great Northern War.

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Quick Facts

Born

1682

Died

1718

Country

Sweden

Era

Modern

Occupation

General

Score Overview

Military (10%)78

Political (20%)39

Influence (20%)57

Legacy (20%)52

Leadership (15%)68

Strategy (15%)55

Total Score56.6

Charles XII of Sweden — Complete Timeline

1700 AD

Battle of NarvaWar◆ Major

Charles XII led a Swedish army of 8,000 to defeat a Russian force of 37,000 besieging Narva. The victory established his reputation as a military prodigy and temporarily halted Russian expansion in the Baltic.

Great Northern WarBattleSwedish Empire

Impact: regional

1706 AD

Invasion of SaxonyWar◆ Major

Charles XII invaded Saxony and forced Elector Augustus II to renounce his claim to the Polish throne through the Treaty of Altranst

Great Northern WarPolandSaxony

Impact: regional

1709 AD

Battle of PoltavaWar

Charles XII's Swedish army was decisively defeated by Peter the Great's Russian forces at Poltava. Charles fled to the Ottoman Empire, and the battle marked the end of Sweden's status as a great power and the rise of Russia.

Great Northern WarBattleSwedish Decline

Impact: globaldestructive

1718 AD

Siege of FredrikstenWar◆ Major

Charles XII was killed by a bullet to the head while besieging the Norwegian fortress of Fredriksten. His death ended the Great Northern War and led to the collapse of the Swedish Empire, with territories ceded to Russia.

DeathSiegeNorway

Impact: regionaltragic