Catherine's Inoculation as a Political Strategy

Catherine II of Russia took a groundbreaking step by personally undergoing inoculation against smallpox, a move that aimed to protect both her and her son from the disease while promoting the procedure across her empire. This act addressed not only public health concerns but also aimed to combat the widespread superstition surrounding inoculation in Russia. By choosing to subject herself to this risky procedure, she positioned herself as a selfless leader and an example of courage for her people, symbolized by the commemorative medal she had struck to celebrate her actions. The medal illustrated her as a benevolent figure slaying the Hydra, an allegory for both smallpox and the ignorance surrounding medical advancements, thus enhancing her image as a progressive ruler willing to bear personal risk for the welfare of her subjects.