Gustav II Adolf, (19 December 1594 – 6 November 1632 (O.S.)) or Gustav II Adolphus, widely known in English by the Latinized name Gustavus Adolphus, was founder of the Swedish Empire at the beginning of what is widely regarded as the Golden Age of Sweden. He was known by the epithets "The Golden King" and "The Lion of the North" by neighboring sovereigns.