The lecture concentrates on the issues related to the times of the Emperor Paul I. Special emphasis is laid on characterising his personality and circumstances which had exerted influence on him, his nature and character. This Emperor has been evaluated in extremely different ways up till now. An account is given of the mythology of Paul’s Epoch, the stereotypes and clichés which emerged at the turn of the 19th century and still linger in historical memory. The issue of Paul’s death which is still shrouded in mystery is examined.