Ivan IV, Czar of Russia. Ivan IV Vasilyevich (August 25, 1530 - March 28, 1584) was Grand Prince of Moscow from 1533 until his death. His long reign saw the conquest of the Khanates of Kazan, Astrakhan, and Siberia, transforming Russia into a multi-ethnic and multi-confessional state spanning almost one billion acres (approximately 1,562,500 square miles). Ivan managed countless changes in the progression from a medieval state to an empire and emerging regional power, and became the first ruler to be crowned as Tsar of All Russia. Ivan was described as intelligent and devout, yet given to rages and prone to episodic outbreaks of mental illness.