Catherine the Great was not an absolute ruler, but a benevolent, enlightened despot. She initiated reforms to modernise Russia and improve the people's lives, encouraged the arts, and promoted education and science. She even corresponded with Voltaire and Diderot, two of the most prominent philosophers of the Enlightenment, and incorporated many of their ideas into her policies.
Although Catherine had all the power, she used it to bring progress and prosperity to Russia, and to improve the lives of her subjects. She was not a tyrant who ruled with an iron fist, but a dedicated and enlightened leader who worked tirelessly for the betterment of her country.