Christina - Kristina (English spelling)

Queen of Sweden (reigned 1632-54). Daughter of Gustav II. She ascended to the throne at the age of 6 after her father's death. She received the same education as boys until she took over the reins at the age of 18, mastered seven languages, and showed a deep interest in philosophy and theology. She also liked horse riding and hunting. After taking over the reins, she showed a certain degree of enthusiasm for politics, but she gave royal lands to her favorites, which led to a financial crisis. On the other hand, she loved the arts and sciences, and invited intellectuals to her palace, and formed friendships with famous foreign cultural figures. It is well known that she invited the philosopher Descartes to the royal palace. She refused to marry her fiance's cousin, and also expressed an attitude of converting to the Catholic Church, losing her enthusiasm for governing rights and abdicating. She then officially became a Catholic, spent most of her life in Rome, and died there. She has passed on many philosophical sayings to posterity.

[Kiyohara Mizuhiko]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

スウェーデン女王（在位1632～54）。グスタフ2世の娘。父の死後6歳で即位。18歳で親政するまで男子同様の教育を受け、7か国語を習得し、哲学や神学に深い関心をみせ、また乗馬、狩猟も好んだ。親政後、政治にはある程度の熱意を示したが、愛寵(あいちょう)者などに王室領を与えて財政危機に陥らせた。その反面、学芸を愛好して知識人を宮殿に招いたり、外国の高名な文化人と親交を結び、なかでも哲人デカルトを王宮に招聘(しょうへい)したのは有名な話である。許嫁(いいなずけ)の従兄(いとこ)との結婚を断り、また旧教に改宗する態度を表して統治権への熱意を失い、自ら退位した。その後正式に旧教徒となり、ローマで生涯の大半を過ごして同地で死去した。多数の哲学的至言を後世に伝えている。

［清原瑞彦］

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