Charles XII of Sweden

Charles XII of Sweden, also known as Karl XII in Swedish, was the King of Sweden from 1697 to 1718. He is often referred to as one of Sweden's greatest military leaders, known for his campaigns during the Great Northern War (1700–1721). In Hebrew, he is known as קרלוס ה-12, מלך שוודיה. The name Charles translates to Carlos in Spanish, Charles in French, and Karl in German. Charles XII ascended to the throne at the age of 15, following the death of his father, Charles XI. His reign was marked by Sweden's involvement in the Great Northern War, where he initially achieved significant victories, such as the Battle of Narva in 1700. However, his later campaigns, particularly the disastrous invasion of Russia, led to Sweden's eventual decline as a major European power. Charles XII was known for his personal bravery and military prowess, but his aggressive foreign policy and refusal to negotiate peace treaties contributed to Sweden's eventual exhaustion and loss of territories. He was killed in 1718 during the siege of Fredriksten Fortress in Norway, bringing an end to his controversial yet impactful reign.