Peter, as a child of the second marriage of Tsar Aleksey, was at first relegated to the background of Russian politics as various court factions struggled to control the throne.

Aleksey was succeeded by his son from his first marriage, Feodor III, a sickly boy who died in 1682.

Peter then was made co-tsar with his half brother, Ivan V, but Peter's half sister, Sofia, holds the real power.

She rules as regent while the young Peter is allowed to play war games with his friends and to roam in Moscow's foreign quarters.

These early experiences instill in him an abiding interest in Western military practice and technology, particularly in military engineering, artillery, navigation, and shipbuilding.

In 1689, using troops that he had drilled during childhood games, Peter foils a plot to have Sofia crowned.

When Ivan V dies in 1696, Peter becomes the sole tsar of Muscovy.