Frederick was a talented musician and composed several pieces for the flute. The king also composed some symphonies. He was an enlightened monarch who wanted to apply reason to affairs of state in order to benefit the people. Frederick wrote a history of the Great Northern Wars of Charles XII. Frederick also wrote a political work “The Anti-Machiavel” .
He was also a great patron of the arts and he sponsored great artists such as Voltaire, with who he would eventually argue bitterly. Frederick was also a very great builder and he had many beautiful buildings built in Prussia. The king did much to encourage cultural activities and education in his kingdom.