Peter the Great and others

TSARS

Think of the rulers who led Russia before the revolution, often known for their autocratic power and lavish courts.

"Peter the Great and others" points to Russian rulers, specifically the emperors who led the country before the revolution. "Peter the Great" is one of the most famous examples, and the term for these monarchs is "tsars" (also spelled "czars"). The clue relies on historical knowledge rather than wordplay, directly naming a well-known figure to hint at the broader category.