Paul I is called a tyrant and even a madman, but his character and history are much deeper than the mask that his descendants undeservedly endowed him with. His mother’s estrangement, rejection of the court and endless attempts to figure out who and why actually killed his father formed a deeply tragic personality. After becoming emperor after many years of waiting, Paul sought to get rid of the permissiveness of the nobility and improve the lives of serfs and ordinary soldiers. However, will he succeed in realizing his plans and retaining power?