Catherine II, also known as Catherine the Great, was born Sophie Augusta Fredericka on April 21, 1729. Born a German Princess, Sophie was selected by Tsarina Elizabeth of Russia to marry her nephew and chosen successor, Peter. When she accepted the Russian Orthodox faith, Sophie changed her name to "Catherine". Her marriage, however, was a failure -- possibly due to her reported infidelities -- and she became popular with several political groups that opposed her husband. When Peter III succeeded to the Russian throne in 1762, his policies almost immediately alienated these same groups that had formed around Catherine. Less than six months after taking the throne, Peter was assassinated, and Catherine was handed the throne. As the ruler of Russia, Catherine became a patron of the arts, literature, and education. She also made Russia the dominant power in the Middle East and added about 200,000 square miles to Russian territory. She was succeeded on the throne by her son, Paul I, whom she did not particularly like.