A photo from open sources
During his reign, Peter the Great carried out a number of reforms, strongly affecting the lives of Russians. Many have probably heard that Russian ruler introduced a duty for wearing a beard or ordered to celebrate the New Year on January 1, but few people know that the decrees of Peter I, sometimes witty, sometimes surprising in their wisdom, was great multitude. And it is impossible not to notice that many of them seem to written for our time.
Having looked at the work of the Western European parliaments, Peter the Great at the end of the 18th century he was very critical about democracy. The famous Russian reformer said that with him in Russia will never have this stupid democracy, but the basis the well-being of the country will be its enlightened will and stick, which he will make idlers work, study illiterate and fight cowardly. This “stick”, one might say, became his decrees.
For example, according to one of them, senators were not allowed read out their speeches at speeches, parliamentarians had to say, not peeping anywhere so that “everyone’s crap could be seen to everyone. ”
To somehow counter bribes, Peter the Great wisely I decided to raise the salaries of officials, but at the same time tightened measures, taken to the bribe takers – up to the gallows.
Returning from Europe, the Russian ruler decided to tackle improvement of the capital, paying particular attention to the condition Moscow streets. A decree was issued according to which, all residents cities had to take out the garbage beyond, and then dig into the ground. For garbage left in Moscow, a fine was imposed and mercilessly slashed with rods.
The sailors of the Russian fleet were forbidden to get drunk, but, if a drunken sailor lay with his head turned to his ship, he was not punished – he could not reach the ship, but at least he tried.
A very funny decision regarding the relations of subordinates to to the authorities. The subordinate to the man, above him in rank, was must have the appearance of “silly”, so as not to violate subordination.
Eating at that time was supposed to be in moderation, but you could drink as much as you like. If your legs no longer hold, allowed to drink while sitting. But pour alcohol into the lying one – it was forbidden: it can choke. Those who are not able to drink, supposed to neatly fold away from those who still drink and dancing.
Peter I didn’t forget about the fair sex, noble ladies. Since in Russia pale skin has long been considered a sign of aristocratic blue blood, many women do not shunned to blacken their teeth to give greater contrast to the skin faces. Peter the Great probably could not bear this terrible spectacles by issuing a decree that ladies bleached their teeth with chalk. Here it turns out where in Russia the habit of brushing my teeth started …
Russia time
