Gustav II Adolf, The Lion of the North.Also known by the Latin...

Gustav II Adolf, The Lion of the North.

Also known by the Latin rendition of his name, Gustavus Adolphus, Gustav II was one of the greatest rulers of the Early Modern Period. Ascending to the throne in 1611 at the age of 17, Gustav II spent two decades transforming Sweden from a local power in Scandinavia to a major European empire and the dominate power in the Baltic. He was an extremely able military commander, and in spite of inheriting three wars (with Denmark, Russia, and Poland) when he became king, Gustav II was able to conclude them all with Sweden in a much stronger position in the Baltic. In 1630 he intervened in the Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) in support of the Protestant forces and led a series of major victories against the Catholics until his death in battle in 1630 (though Sweden continued in the war until 1635).