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At the time of Peter III's overthrow, other potential rivals for the throne included [[Ivan VI of Russia|Ivan VI]] (1740–1764), who had been confined at [[Shlisselburg|Schlüsselburg]] in [[Lake Ladoga]] from the age of six months and was thought to be insane. Ivan VI was assassinated during an attempt to free him as part of a failed coup against Catherine. Like Elizabeth before her, Catherine had given strict instructions that Ivan was to be killed in the event of any such attempt. The woman later known as [[Princess Tarakanova]] (с. 1745–1775) was another potential rival.
Although Catherine did not descend from the [[House of Romanov|Romanov]] dynasty, her ancestors included members of the [[Rurik dynasty]], which had preceded the Romanovs as rulers of Russia.{{fact}} She succeeded her husband as [[Queen regnant|empress regnant]], following the precedent of Empress Catherine I, who had succeeded her husband [[Peter the Great]] in 1725. Historians debate Catherine's technical status, whether as a regent or as a [[usurper]], tolerable only during the minority of her son, Grand Duke Paul.
== Reign (1762–1796) ==
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