Tsar Ivan IV Vasilyevich - Ivan the Terrible - was the first grand prince of Moscow from 1533 to 1547 and later ruled as the "Tsar of all Russia" until his death in 1584. Back in the 16th Century when the suffix Terrible was first bestowed on Ivan, it meant ‘awe-inspiring', ‘powerful' and ‘formidable'. By the end of his reign, most of his subjects probably felt the word as we understand it today was more apt.

The case against King of Judaea Herod the Great, best known for his attempt to remove his rival, the 'King of the Jews' by ordering the execution of all male infants in Bethlehem shortly after the birth of Jesus Christ. He was also accused of murdering his own wife, children and countless other innocents.