Grigori Rasputin, a enigmatic figure known as the "Black Monk of the Romanovs," emerged as a controversial presence in Imperial Russia. Born into poverty, he possessed an uncanny charisma and claimed to possess mystical powers. In 1905, he gained proximity to Tsar Nicholas II and Tsarina Alexandra, becoming an intimate advisor on matters of both faith and politics. Rasputin's influence extended far beyond the imperial family, as he amassed a devoted following and wielded considerable power within the court. However, his unorthodox behavior and alleged debauchery drew the ire of the nobility and the Orthodox Church, ultimately leading to his assassination in 1916.
