Tsar (also czar) is a Slavic term derived from the Latin 'caesar' and refers to an emperor-like ruler who owed no allegiance to other sovereigns.

Is it spelled tsar or czar?

Both tsar and czar are correct. However, when referring to Russia, tsar is more common.

Was tsar good or bad?

There were both good and bad tsars, depending on their reign. Ivan IV was called Ivan the Terrible, for example, while Peter I was called Peter the Great.

Tsar Timeline

Definition

Tsar (also czar) is a Slavic term derived from the Latin caesar. Ivan III (Ivan the Great) (r. 1462-1505) was the first Russian ruler to begin using the title of tsar during his reign instead of the title Grand Prince of Moscow. His grandson, Ivan IV (Ivan the Terrible) (r. 1547-1584), was the first Russian ruler formally crowned as tsar.

More about: Tsar

Timeline

1547
Ivan IV of Russia is crowned as tsar.
1547 - 1584
Reign of Ivan the Terrible.
1547 - 1721
The title of tsar is used in Russia.
1584 - 1598
Reign of Feodor I of Russia.
1598 - 1605
Reign of Boris Godunov.
1605
Reign of Feodor II of Russia.
1605 - 1606
Reign of False Dmitry I of Russia.
1606 - 1610
Reign of Vasili IV of Russia.
1613 - 1645
Reign of Michael I of Russia.
1645 - 1676
Reign of Alexis of Russia.
1676 - 1682
Reign of Feodor III of Russia.
6 Jul 1682
The joint coronation of Peter the Great and Tsar Ivan.
1696
Tsar Ivan dies leaving Peter the sole ruler of Russia.