Friedrich der Grosse: revered, respected, reviled

Friedrich II of Prussia is known to the Germans as Frederick the Great, and this exhibition at the German Historical Museum in Berlin celebrates it being 300 years since his birth. It seems as though he has inspired generations with many different personas. He was in early conflict with his domineering father and while he chose to run away, the friend he ran away with, was beheaded by his father - that would have made him stop and think for a bit! He was recognised as a cultural philosopher, being able to speak in french with Voltaire. He was also an important military commander and hero - although it seems as if these attributes were villifed by the Nazi warmongery. Most recently, he is acknowledged for inspiring the current German work and moral attitudes and their deep resilience - so it has been an interesting transition...