L’Histoire de Charles XII

work by Voltaire

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June 29, 2026

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L'Histoire de Charles XII (1731) is a historical work by Voltaire that chronicles the life and reign of the Swedish king Charles XII. The book presents Charles XII as an absolute monarch who defended Sweden during the Great Northern War but also led a disastrous invasion of Russia. Voltaire's narrative, while factually based, reads like a novel, highlighting the king's military exploits and his role in shaping Sweden's status as a great power. The work also contrasts Charles XII's destructive military campaigns with the civilizing influence of his rival, Peter the Great. Voltaire's approach to history in this work emphasized the importance of precise facts and dates, alongside an examination of customs and societal aspects.123

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Voltaire
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…him to write his life, Histoire de Charles XII (1731), a carefully documented historical narrative that reads like a novel. Philosophic ideas began to impose themselves as he wrote: the King of Sweden’s exploits brought desolation, whereas his rival Peter the Great brought Russia into being, bequeathing a vast, civilized…
Read More
…him to write his life, Histoire de Charles XII (1731), a carefully documented historical narrative that reads like a novel. Philosophic ideas began to impose themselves as he wrote: the King of Sweden’s exploits brought desolation, whereas his rival Peter the Great brought Russia into being, bequeathing a vast, civilized…
Read More