This lecture focuses on the issues of the 18th century Russian history: the epoch of Peter the Great, the era of Russian palace revolutions, the "Golden Age" of Russian nobility during the reign of Catherine II. Concerning the epoch of Peter the Great, emphasis is laid on the first Russian Emperor's reforms. An account is given of the era of Russian palace revolutions: its constituents and characteristics are analysed. As for the age of Catherine II, the lecture studies the new Russian historical reality that resulted from the activity of the Empress who made an immense contribution to the prosperity of the Russian state.