Hohenzollern

a German noble family that ruled Brandenburg and Prussia

• dynasty — a sequence of powerful leaders in the same family
• royalty, royal family, royal line, royal house — royal persons collectively

• Frederick I — son of Frederick William who in 1701 became the first king of Prussia (1657-1713)
• Frederick William, the Great Elector — Elector of Brandenburg who rebuilt his domain after its destruction during the Thirty Years' War (1620-1688)
• Frederick William I — son of Frederick I who became King of Prussia in 1713; reformed and strengthened the Prussian army (1688-1740)
• Frederick William II — King of Prussia who became involved in a costly war with Revolutionary France (1744-1797)
• Frederick William III — King of Prussia who became involved in the Napoleonic Wars (1770-1840)
• Frederick William Iv — King of Prussia who violently suppressed democratic movements (1795-1865)