Frederick II Ascends the Prussian Throne

May 31, 1740

Frederick, twenty-eight, flautist, atheist, poet, secret admirer of Voltaire, and long-tormented son of the soldier-king Frederick William, inherited Prussia. Europe expected a philosopher. Within six months he would invade Silesia without warning. Within five years he would be known to all as Frederick the Great. His father had built the army; Frederick, to everyone's surprise including perhaps his own, proved willing and able to use it.