Catherine the Great's Jokers

The reign of Catherine the Great is a time of the brilliant sunset of favoritism in Russia, and the name of the empress is firmly associated with her "ministers of pleasure." Young guard officers replaced one another in the empress's chambers, entertained her in the capital and in country residences, accompanied her on trips, received fabulously expensive gifts, titles, ranks, orders, and estates with thousands of serfs, but quickly exited the historical stage. How was favoritism embedded in the system of government? What are the reasons for the appearance of a series of royal favorites? What, besides their close relationships with the ruler, did they do in their "notable positions," and what role did they play in court life and high politics?
Essays by Doctor of Historical Sciences Igor Kurukin, based on archival and published sources and scientific research, are dedicated to the chosen ones of Catherine II, who shared her interests and hopes to the best of their abilities, but did not have their own opinions.