Episode 1242
Was Ivan IV truly "terrible," or was he simply "formidable"? In this episode, we dismantle the myths surrounding the first Tsar of all Russia, whose reign transformed the nation from a medieval state into a fledgling empire. We explore the nuance behind his famous epithet, Grozny, which historically meant "awe-inspiring" or "keeping enemies in fear" rather than evil.
Tune in as we chart Ivan’s traumatic childhood as an orphan neglected by feuding boyars and his rise to power at age 16. We discuss his early "golden years" of reform, including the establishment of the Zemsky Sobor (parliament), the streltsy standing army, and the introduction of the printing press to Russia. You will learn how his military campaigns in Kazan and Astrakhan secured the Volga river, effectively turning Muscovy into a multi-ethnic empire.
However, the narrative takes a dark turn following the death of his first wife, Anastasia. We examine the era of the Oprichnina, a state-within-a-state where Ivan’s personal police force unleashed terror on the nobility and perpetrated the horrific Massacre of Novgorod. Finally, we analyze the personal tragedies that defined his later years—including the disastrous Livonian War and the fit of rage in which he killed his own son and heir—actions that ultimately doomed the Rurik dynasty and paved the way for the Time of Troubles.
Published on 2 days, 12 hours ago
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