12. Peter the Great vs. Sophia Alekseyevna
Peter the Great’s power struggle with his half-sister, Sophia Alekseyevna, who acted as regent for years, was marked by coups, intrigue, and sibling rivalry. Sophia’s humiliating forced retirement set the tone for Peter’s brutal reforms and Russia’s westernization. She was forced into exile as Peter enforced his dominance over the Russian Empire (britannica.com).
