The Russian Empire History Podcast

We return to the Northeast to cover the succession to Vsevolod Big Nest, the struggle for Novgorod, and the arrival of the Mongols.

After decades fighting for his birthright, Daniil must face a new enemy.

Roman Mstislavich had united Volhynia and Galicia, but his early death leaves his kingdom open to Rus and foreign pretenders. It will take his son, Daniil, years to recover.

Batu continues his campaign westwards. Despite winning his battles, circumstances force him to return to the Volga to consolidate his rule.

From the chroniclers seeing them as God's punishment, to Tsarist historians trying to push them out of Russian history altogther, to Stalinists banning any mention of them other than as predatory parasites, this episodes looks at some of the ways Russian historians have struggled to come to grips with the Mongols.

Batu continues his western campaigns and brings about the end of Rus.

The Mongol Empire continues its campaigns of expansion. Chingis Khan has given his son Jochi the west, but first he must conquer it.

Word comes from the Polovtsi that there is a new force on the steppe. The Rus join them to fight them off.

Intelligent Speech 2025 will take place on 8 February 2025 with lots to listen to from a whole crowd of independent history podcasters - including JP Bristow. Listen live or catch up afterwards. Go to intelligentspeech.com and use the code EMPIRE for a 10% discount on tickets now.

Under pressure from Teutonic knights, Rus, and Poland, a new kingdom emerges from the Lithuanian tribes.

In this episode, we look at how the Teutonic Knights went from hospitals in the Holy Land to conquering Prussia.

Through the second half of the 12th century, the pieces start to fall into place for the conquests of the 13th century.

The Baltic crusades were not the only force driving German colonisation in the Baltic. In this episode we look at the rise of the Hanseatic League, a new commercial network across Northern Europe.

Big claims have been made for the impact of the Baltic Crusades on Russia's relationship with the West. This episode looks at whether they stand up to scrutiny.

In this special episode I am joined by Jack Wilson, AKA The Jackmeister: Mongol History to talk about who the Mongols were, where they came from, why they set out to conquer the west, and more.

Vsevolod Big Nest continues to try to impose his will on the Rostislavichi and Olgovichi as Rus enters the thirteenth century.

Svyatoslav's death leaves Ryurik as sole ruler in Kyiv, but he soon finds that Vsevolod Big Nest thinks he's really the guy in charge.

As the twelfth century draws to a close, Svyatoslav of the Olgovichi makes another play for Kyiv, but finds himself forced to share power with Rurik Rostislavich.

His troops have sacked Kyiv and his brother sits on the throne. What next?

By the twelfth century, Bulgaria had become the regional power on the Volga. Conflict with the emerging and ambitious Suzdalia was inevitable, but the Bulgars proved quite capable of holding their own.

In this episode, we catch up on the Bulgars and see how life on the Volga compares to Rus.

Northwest of Rus live the Baltic peoples. After centuries of relative isolation, they are attracting unwanted attention from their neighbours.

We have already met the Qipchaks as the Polovtsi, the steppe enemies of the Rus. But they are more than just that.

In this episode, we look at what we know about how the ordinary people of Rus lived.

A special fiftieth episode answering questions from listeners. What was the Rus army like, what languages were spoken in Rus, marriages and diplomacy, and more.

As the next generation of rulers begins to contest the throne of Kyiv, one of them has a different idea.

Concluding this series, the youngest of the sons of Vladimir Monomakh, Yuri Dolgoruky of Sundial, gets his time in Kyiv.

Vyacheslav, the man who never wishes to leave Turov, takes the throne in Kyiv. But for how long?

Vladimir Monomakh's long and eventful life has ended. As he intended, the throne of Kyiv passes to his son Mstislav, but that does not mean that the path of succession is settled.

Vsevolod's son, Vladimir Monomakh, finally accepts the people of Kyiv's call to take the throne.

As the ruling family expands, Rus faces another succession. Will there be war? Or a new agreement?

The sons of Yaroslav divide Rus among themselves. How long will they live in peace?

As Yaroslav reaches the end of his life, an attempt is made to set the rules of succession in Rus.

Christian Raffensperger is Professor of History and Chair of the Department, Kenneth E. Wray Chair in the Humanities, and Director, Emarth Institute for the Public Humanities at Wittenberg University covering Medieval Europe, Russia, and Ukraine. His works include ‘Reimagining Europe: Kievan Rus in the Medieval World, 988-1146', 'Ties of Kinship: Russian Genealogy and Dynastic Marriage', ‘The Kingdom of Rus' and more. Christian joins me to discuss why Medieval Europe is much more than just France and England, Rus royal marriages, and why using the right titles is important. Christian's book recommendation for listeners is Russia in the Early Modern World: The Continuity of Change by Donald Ostrowski. Find it on Amazon at https://amzn.to/46FXMMp a purchase through this link helps support this podcast.

As the last brother standing, Yaroslav has finally become the sole ruler of Rus. What will he do now?

Vladimir's death plunges Rus into chaos as his sons fight over the succession.

This episode looks at Vladimir's reign from the baptism of Rus until his death. Did he manage to do anything else noteworthy?

What happened at the baptism of Rus, and inventing St. Vladimir/Volodymyr from the Tale of Bygone Years to Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir continues to expand his territory and to consider the role of religion in his kingdom.

The death of Svyatoslav found Rus unprepared for the succession. The three sons he left in charge of Kyiv, the Drevlians, and Novgorod, soon turn to fighting among themselves.

In the late Soviet period and in post-Soviet Russia, Lev Gumilev's passionary theory of ethnogenesis and pseudo-historical ideas of a Jewish-Khazar chimera gained enormous popularity, leading to elaborate conspiracy theories of shadowy forces behind contemporary events. Read the blog post at: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/133-135-imaginary-khazars Subscribe on Patreon, Spotify or Apple Podcasts for exclusive member episodes.

Vladimir Putin says he believes in the “passionary theory”. What does he mean, and where do the Khazars come in?

Part I of a short series looking at the Khazars after the fall of Khazaria. Was there a connection between the Khazars and East European Jews?

In this episode, we look at the first Rus ruler with a Slavic name, but a not so Slavic personal style. If it wasn't for those treacherous Byzantines, things could have turned out very differently...

In this episode, we continue our introduction to Volga Bulgaria with a look at the ruling dynasty, the capital city, and their conversion to Islam.

In this episode, we begin exploring the formation of Volga Bulgaria, a major medieval European kingdom that will play a significant role in our story. Subscribe for exclusive member episodes via Patreon, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify.

In this special episode, I discuss how Byzantium viewed Rus and aspects of their relationship with Dr Monica White of the University of Nottingham.

Olga of Kyiv has been venerated as a saint and gained popularity in modern times as a vengeful warrior queen, but how true are those stories? Listen to this episode to find out the true story of Olga. https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/129-olga-of-kyiv Subscribe on Patreon, Apple Podcasts, or Anchor for Spotify to access exclusive member episodes.

In this episode, we look at what the Tale of Bygone Years tells us about Rurik's successors, Oleg and Igor, and try to figure out what actually might have happened. Read the blogpost: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/128-oleg-the-seer-and-igor-rurikovich

In this episode we look at the traditional founder of the ruling dynasty of Rus, discuss what the Rus chronicles were and how they were created, and cover the mistranslation of Rus titles. Read the blog post: therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/127-rurik-and-what-was-the-tale-of-bygone-years-anyway For exclusive episodes, support on Patreon, subscribe through Apple Podcasts, or Anchor for Spotify.

This episode concludes our introduction to the Rus with a look at their move into the Dnieper valley and the trade routes to Byzantium and Western Europe. Sign up with Patreon, subscribe through Apple Podcasts, or on Anchor for Spotify listeners to get access to exclusive episodes and support the show. Support the Plant and Hire Alliance campaign to send 10,000 generators to Ukraine https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ukraine-gensets