Was Catherine the great machiavellian

Catherine the Great is often considered Machiavellian due to her pragmatic and often ruthless approach to power. She skillfully navigated the complexities of court politics, manipulated alliances, and implemented reforms that strengthened her reign and modernized Russia. Her willingness to employ cunning strategies to achieve her goals aligns with Machiavelli's principles of realpolitik. However, her genuine interest in Enlightenment ideals and social reforms also suggests a more nuanced approach to governance.