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The Russian Empire History Podcast

The Russian Empire History Podcast

By JP Bristow

The history of all the peoples of the Russian Empire. Russian imperialism from its origins to the present day. New episode twice a month.

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1.20 - Before the Rus Part I

The Russian Empire History PodcastAug 08, 2022

00:00
37:51
1.48 - The Sons of Monomakh Part III

1.48 - The Sons of Monomakh Part III

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

Mar 23, 202443:28
1.47 - The Sons of Monomakh Part II

1.47 - The Sons of Monomakh Part II

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

Mar 10, 202450:26
ME12 - Central Asia Part IV - Sogdians and Turks

ME12 - Central Asia Part IV - Sogdians and Turks

Sogdians continue to grow their colonies and trade networks under the Turks, expanding their contacts into China and Byzantium.

Mar 05, 202454:13
1.46 - The Sons of Monomakh Part I

1.46 - The Sons of Monomakh Part I

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.

Feb 25, 202446:14
1.45 - Vladimir II Monomakh

1.45 - Vladimir II Monomakh

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

Feb 12, 202454:60
ME11 - Central Asia Part III - The Rise of the Sogdians

ME11 - Central Asia Part III - The Rise of the Sogdians

Chinese missions to the West lay the foundations for what would become the Silk Road trade network, which the Sogdians will come to dominate.

Jan 28, 202401:05:01
1.44 - Svyatopolk II

1.44 - Svyatopolk II

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

Dec 22, 202337:01
ME10 - Central Asia II - The Greeks

ME10 - Central Asia II - The Greeks

Alexander of Macedon conquers the Achaemenid Empire and the Greeks colonize Central Asia.

Dec 16, 202352:14
1.43 - The Yaroslavichi

1.43 - The Yaroslavichi

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

Nov 27, 202351:21
1.42 - The Testament of Yaroslav

1.42 - The Testament of Yaroslav

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

Nov 12, 202325:54
SE6 - Rus in Medieval Europe with Christian Raffensperger

SE6 - Rus in Medieval Europe with Christian Raffensperger

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.

Oct 28, 202350:06
ME9 - Central Asia Part I

ME9 - Central Asia Part I

This episode begins a look at Central Asia and the Caucasus from prehistory through to the Mongol conquests.

Oct 22, 202346:02
1.41 - Yaroslav the Wise

1.41 - Yaroslav the Wise

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

Oct 16, 202355:26
1.40 - The Vladimirovichi

1.40 - The Vladimirovichi

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

Sep 23, 202339:15
1.39 Vladimir the Great IV - Building Rus

1.39 Vladimir the Great IV - Building Rus

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

Sep 10, 202334:60
1.38 Vladimir the Great III - The Baptism of Rus

1.38 Vladimir the Great III - The Baptism of Rus

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

Aug 26, 202301:23:40
1.37 Vladimir the Great Part II - Sacrifices and Choices

1.37 Vladimir the Great Part II - Sacrifices and Choices

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

Jul 29, 202328:40
ME8 - Christianity in the Steppe and Central Asia

ME8 - Christianity in the Steppe and Central Asia

In this member episode, we delve into the fascinating history of Christianity in the steppe and Central Asia.

Sign up on Patreon, or subscribe through Spotify or Apple Podcasts or the PayPal subscription button on the podcast website to listen to this and other member episodes.

Jul 22, 202347:09
1.36 - Vladimir the Great Part I - the Rise to Power

1.36 - Vladimir the Great Part I - the Rise to Power

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.

Jul 08, 202329:49
1.35 - Imaginary Khazars Part III - New Khazaria
Jun 25, 202351:35
1.34 Imaginary Khazars Part II: Gumilev’s Chimera

1.34 Imaginary Khazars Part II: Gumilev’s Chimera

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

Jun 07, 202301:06:18
1.33 Imaginary Khazars Part I: The Thirteenth Tribe

1.33 Imaginary Khazars Part I: The Thirteenth Tribe

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?

Jun 04, 202341:28
Member Episode 7 - Manichaeism and the Steppe

Member Episode 7 - Manichaeism and the Steppe

This member episode looks at the history of Manichaeism in Central Asia. Once a contender world religion, it failed to withstand the competition as empires from Rome eastwards gradually adopted official religions.

May 21, 202358:53
1.32 - Svyatoslav “the Brave"

1.32 - Svyatoslav “the Brave"

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...

Apr 28, 202341:51
1.31 - Volga Bulgaria - Part II

1.31 - Volga Bulgaria - Part II

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.


Apr 15, 202343:56
1.30 - Volga Bulgaria - Part I

1.30 - Volga Bulgaria - Part I

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.

Apr 03, 202333:05
Member Episode 6 - Early Poland

Member Episode 6 - Early Poland

In this Member Episode, we look at the beginnings of the other great power in Eastern Europe - Poland.


Subscribe through Patreon, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify to access exclusive member episodes.

Mar 29, 202358:03
SE5 - Byzantium and Rus - with Dr Monica White

SE5 - Byzantium and Rus - with Dr Monica White

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

Mar 18, 202355:25
1.29 - Olga of Kyiv

1.29 - Olga of Kyiv

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.



Mar 05, 202301:10:47
1.28 - Oleg the Seer and Igor Rurikovich

1.28 - Oleg the Seer and Igor Rurikovich

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

Feb 18, 202339:17
1.27 - Rurik, and what was the Tale of Bygone Years, anyway?

1.27 - Rurik, and what was the Tale of Bygone Years, anyway?

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.

Feb 04, 202345:00
Member Episode 5 - Varangians

Member Episode 5 - Varangians

In this episode, we look at Varangians, including the lives of some of the most famous among them. The Varangians provide yet another example of how the Rus were integrated into the world around them.

Read: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/member-episode-5-varangians

To listen to this episode, become a patron on Patreon, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, or become a supporter on Anchor for Spotify listeners. 


Jan 28, 202301:31:19
1.26 - Enter the Rus Part III

1.26 - Enter the Rus Part III

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

Dec 19, 202234:24
Member Episode 4 - The Northern Slave Trade

Member Episode 4 - The Northern Slave Trade

More important than furs, slaves were the Rus’ primary trade commodity. The Rus, Volga Bulgaria, Muscovy, and Russia participated in the slave trade for centuries, until the Tsar decided he needed the people more for himself. 

Dec 05, 202251:58
1.25 - Enter the Rus Part II

1.25 - Enter the Rus Part II

In Part II, we look at Scandinavian and Rus encounters with the Bulgars and Khazars. 

Nov 12, 202230:26
1.24 - Enter the Rus Part I

1.24 - Enter the Rus Part I

This episode starts a short series considering the early Rus with a look at where Rus began.

Oct 30, 202227:49
1.23 - Before the Rus Part III - Scandinavians in the Northern Forest

1.23 - Before the Rus Part III - Scandinavians in the Northern Forest

The final part of this mini-series looks at the first tentative steps of Scandinavian travelers into the East.

Read the blog post here: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/episode-123-before-the-rus-part-iii-scandinavians-in-the-northern-forest

Sign up for our Patreon, subscribe in Apple Podcasts, or support on Anchor (for Spotify listeners).

Oct 13, 202226:18
1.22 - Normanists and Anti-Normanists

1.22 - Normanists and Anti-Normanists

An introduction to one of the biggest controversies in Russian and Ukrainian history - who were the Rus?

Oct 03, 202201:18:41
Member Episode 3 - Cyril and Methodius

Member Episode 3 - Cyril and Methodius

The story of how two brothers brought literacy to the Slavs.

Read the episode blog post: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/members-episode-3-cyril-and-methodius

Subscribe to listen to members episodes through Patreon, Apple Podcasts, or Anchor.

Sep 23, 202201:15:16
1.21 - Before the Rus Part II - Bulgars, Chuvash, Pechenegs, Magyars

1.21 - Before the Rus Part II - Bulgars, Chuvash, Pechenegs, Magyars

Continuing our survey before the Rus with a look at the eastern part of the region. The Bulgars reach the central Volga, Magyars move south, Khazar power preventing new incursions from the steppe starts to crumble.

Read the episode blog post: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-121-before-the-rus-part-ii-bulgars-chuvash-pechenegs-magyars

Support this podcast and get access to exclusive member episodes by subscribing through Patreon, Anchor, or Apple Podcasts.

Aug 28, 202235:52
1.20 - Before the Rus Part I

1.20 - Before the Rus Part I

This episode begins a look across the region as it transitions from antiquity to the early medieval period. 

Read the episode blog post: https://therusianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-20-before-the-rus-part-i

Support the podcast on Patreon or Anchor, or subscribe through Apple Podcasts for exclusive Member Episodes.

Aug 08, 202237:51
Member Episode 2 - Argimpasa to Zoroaster

Member Episode 2 - Argimpasa to Zoroaster

This member episode looks at ancient steppe religions and their use in the post-Soviet search for new national identities. Scythian gods and Assianism, Zoroaster and Russian appropriation, Tengrism and nationalism in Tatarstan and Kyrgyzstan.

 You can listen by joining The Russian Empire History Podcast Patreon, subscribing on Anchor for Spotify users, or in Apple Podcasts.

Read the episode blog post: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/member-episode-2-argimpasa-to-zoroaster

Jul 23, 202201:04:22
1.19 - From Friends to Enemies

1.19 - From Friends to Enemies

The Khazars began as Byzantium’s closest allies, sealed with the marriage of the khagan’s daughter to the emperor’s son. But one decision by the Khazars turned them into enemies.

Read the episode blog post: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-119-from-friends-to-enemies

Jul 06, 202245:03
Special Episode 4 - The Russian Federation: Could It, Will It, Should It Break Up? - With Alexander Etkind

Special Episode 4 - The Russian Federation: Could It, Will It, Should It Break Up? - With Alexander Etkind

I’m joined in this episode by Russian historian Alexander Etkind, author of the 2013 book Internal Colonisation to discuss whether the Russian Federation actually could, or, indeed, should break up.

Read the episode blog post here: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/special-episode-4-the-russian-federation-could-it-will-it-should-it-break-up-with-alexander-etkind


Jun 23, 202201:00:05
1.18 - Time to Settle Down, the Domestic Economy of Khazaria
Jun 10, 202243:46
Patreon Announcement

Patreon Announcement

Get exclusive content and support the podcast by signing up with Patreon or an Anchor subscription.

Find our Patreon here: 

https://www.patreon.com/russianempirehistorypodcast

Or subscribe through Anchor here:

https://anchor.fm/russianempirehistory

Jun 02, 202203:38
Member Episode 1 - The Scourge of God

Member Episode 1 - The Scourge of God

Subscribe to listen to this Member Episode on the Huns.

https://anchor.fm/russianempirehistory/subscribe

May 31, 202258:23
1.17 - The Rise of the Khazars and the Arab-Khazar Wars
May 27, 202238:06
1.16 - The Mysterious Slavs
May 05, 202241:25
1.15 - The Finno-Ugrians

1.15 - The Finno-Ugrians

This episode introduces the Finno-Ugrians, the original inhabitants of the forests of Northeastern Europe, whose descendants continue to maintain a distinct culture in modern Russia.

Read the blog post here: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-115-the-finno-ugrians


Apr 11, 202240:11