In what ways was Frederick II of Prussia an enlightened absolutist?

Frederick II of Prussia was one of the greatest representatives of enlightened despotism of the eighteenth century. He is known for his military victories and for his reorganization of the Prussian army, his tactics and innovative maneuvers.

In addition, he was a composer and patron, a notable poet, philosopher and scholar.

As an exponent of enlightened despotism, he is known for modernizing the bureaucracy and the Prussian public administration, and for carrying out various policies of religious nature. As well as reforming the judicial system and making it possible for men of non-aristocratic origin to reach the main bureaucratic posts.

He supported the arts and philosophy, but at the same time issued censorship laws to the press.

This king presented himself as a calculating diplomat and a commander obsessed with conquering territories; which is why he was considered a true model of enlightened despotism in the Europe of his time.