"The Bronze Horseman" is one of Aleksandr Sergeiovich Pushkin's more famous epic poems, the tale of St. Petersburg, the meek Eugene, the mighty Peter, and the immensely powerful elements.
Long-threatened by floods, as the Neva River is pushed back by an enormous storm on the Gulf of Finland and it floods St. Petersburg, driving Eugene to madness.
Throughout the poem, Pushkin accentuates the contrast between the great Peter, who conquered the elements in building St. Petersburg, and Eugene, who cowered and "okamenel'" -- turned to stone. In a massive reversal of roles, Pushkin makes the statue of Peter living, and the flood conscious, while Eugene "dies" and the masses act as if they have no consciousness, moving as a "herd".