1. Matlin Xenakis

2.  Alexei was the first son of Peter I and his first wife Eudoxia Lopukhina.  As a child Alexei's relations with his father suffered from the hatred between his father and his mother, as it was very difficult for him to feel affection for his mother's worst persecutor.  After years of tension, Peter made one last effort to "reclaim" his son. in October 1715, Peter sent Alexei a stern letter, urging him to take interest in the affairs of the state.  Alexei wrote a pitiful reply to his father, offering to renounce the succession in favor of his infant son Peter. Peter would agree but on the condition that Alexei remove himself as a dynastic threat and become a monk.

3.  Marta was apart of the household of Prince Alexander Menshikov, who was the best friend of Peter the Great of Russia and in 1703, while visiting Menshikov at his home, Peter met Marta.  Shortly after that Peter took her as his own mistress. In 1705, she converted to Orthodoxy and took the new name of Catherine Alexeyevna (Yekaterina Alexeyvna).  Catherine and Peter married secretly in 1707. They had twelve children, two of whom survived into adulthood, Yelizaveta (born 1709) and Anna (born 1708).  In 1724 Peter had Catherine crowned as Empress, although he remained Russia's actual ruler.

4.  In 1715, Catherine I gave birth to a baby boy, Pyotr Petrovich, who would be heir the thrown over Peter’s eldest son, Alexei after the agreement made between the emperor and his first son.  Alexei was believed to be in a conspiracy against his father and was proved when he fled after the birth of Peter’s second son.  In 1716 Peter, wrote to Alexei from abroad, urging him, if he desired to remain tsarevich, to join him and the army without delay. That year, Alexei fled to Vienna and placed himself under the protection of his brother-in-law, the emperor Charles VI.  Alexei was captured and had been tortured to receive names of accomplices in exchange for a pardon.

5.  In June 1718, Alexei was killed on Peter's orders because of his disobedience and opposition to his father’s official policies. He was killed by being beaten for a straight two days.  Alexei's mother Eudoxia had also been punished; she was dragged from her home and tried on false charges of adultery.  1 year later, his beloved son Pyotr died. Peter was left with no heir and very little time.

6.  In early January 1725, Peter was struck once again with uremia. Legend has it that before lapsing into unconsciousness Peter asked for a paper and pen and scrawled an unfinished note that read: "Leave all to... " and then, exhausted by the effort, asked for his daughter Anna to be summoned.  Peter died between four and five in the morning 8 February 1725. An autopsy revealed his bladder to be infected with gangrene. He was fifty-two years old having reigned forty-two years.