A dense, self-reinforced silicon nitride ceramic body and a method of making such body. The body has a composition that includes: (a) silicon nitride; (b) a glassy grain boundary phase containing oxygen, nitrogen, magnesium, yttrium, silicon, zirconium, and at least one of titanium and aluminum; and (c) a second crystalline phase containing zirconium oxide; and (d) crystalline phases of metal zirconium silicide and/or metal zirconium silicon nitride. The ceramic exhibits high fracture toughness and high fracture strength and has a density at least 98 percent of theoretical.