Best Zero Sum Empire Podcasts (2025)

1
Episode 93 - Three slices of Polish Pie 29:43

Play Pause

1M ago29:43

29:43

Battleships are at the ready in Cheshme Bay and Frederick the Great comes up with a very cunning plan Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Episode 92 - Billiards, Tennis or Infection? 26:39

2M ago26:39

26:39

Grigory Potemkin makes his mark at court and the next installment of the Russo-Ottoman wars gets underway. Oh, and I make not one, not two but three almost catastrophic errors. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

1
Episode 91 - The last King of Poland 23:20

3M ago23:20

23:20

This time around we’ll look into what the Turks objected to, see who the next, and last King of Poland will be and investigate how this whole palaver resulted in a full scale war between Russia and the Ottomans. Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following - Exclusive mem…

1
Episode 90 - Poles Apart 24:34

4M ago24:34

24:34

On the home front Catherine continues to be thwarted. However, in the field of foreign diplomacy, she plays a blinder (or does she?) Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following - Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the Podcast Ad-free podcasts At le…

1
Episode 89 - The Serfs and the Nakaz 25:36

5M ago25:36

25:36

This time around we’ll be taking a look at two part-related subjects, The condition of Serfdom and Catherine's legal reforms or Nakaz. However if you are expecting a series of wholesale, fundamental changes - don't hold your collective breaths... Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll re…

1
Episode 88 - The Khitrovo Affair and the Mirovich Plot 25:56

6M ago25:56

25:56

This time around, and as the episode title indicates, we’ll be covering two main incidents, 1763’s Khitrovo Affair which would have implications for the man of the moment, Catherine’s lover, Grigory Orlov and 1764’s Mirovich Plot which would result in the sad demise of one of our other key characters and both events would, in the end, have a positi…

1
Episode 87 - Time belongs not to me but to the empire. 27:24

7M ago27:24

27:24

This time around we’ll be taking a look at the steps that Catherine would take to kick start and consolidate her rule - how she would deal with the people who had helped her to seize power and how she would lay down her authority with the key institutions of the Russian state - government, church and the army.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac…

1
Episode 86 - Zero Sum 1:13:59

8M ago1:13:59

1:13:59

So in today’s episode we’ll be taking another break from the chronological narrative and looking instead at mainly, the last three decades and a bit, at what went on in Russia from a commercial and business perspective. And to help us through this tumultuous and fascinating period of more recent Russian History we have someone who has spent four de…

1
Episode 85 - ‘Colicgate’ 22:52

9M ago22:52

22:52

In this week’s episode ware going to look at four main items A short appraisal of Peter’s reign, a longer appraisal of Elizabeth’s time in charge, a look at the recent coup’s winners and losers and then finally, how Catherine and her advisors (well actually, one advisor) explained away the death of her husband. Oh and there's a heartfealt apology f…

1
Episode 84 - State of the Nations (5) 1762 38:28

10M ago38:28

38:28

A longer than usual episode which provides an overall look at the world in 1762 - just at the point when Catherine was starting her reign in Russia. Britannia ruled the waves (or was starting to) and the age of enlightenment and the trans-atlantic slave trade were approaching their respective zeniths. The agrarian and industrial revolutions were ju…

1
Episode 83 - Death in the afternoon 26:16

10M ago26:16

26:16

Whilst the new regime is finalising it's coup, over at Oranienbaum, a blissfully ignorant Peter has just drilled his Holstein guards and is now on his way to Peterhof to celebrate his name day. But when he get's there, Catherine is of course, nowhere to be seen . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Episode 82 - The New Empress of all the Russias - almost..... 22:18

11M ago22:18

22:18

This time around we’ll be looking at the latest events in the Seven Years War, Peter’s Danish campaign, how becoming Tsar had affected his relationship with his wife Catherine and finally, and as the episode title in a fairly unsubtle way hints at, what Catherine and her allies decided to do about things. Apologies for the poor pronunciation throug…

1
Episode 81 - The Empress is dead, long live the... 26:16

12M ago26:16

26:16

This time around we’ll be looking at the events that unfolded in the years 1761 and 1762 which, as the title suggests, sadly involves the end of the line for the Empress Elizabeth. But, in an age when Russia had no clearly defined order of succession, much like today, no one was entirely sure what or who would happen next. For one person though, th…

1
Episode 80 - A Fresh Start 21:19

12M ago21:19

21:19

This time around we’ll be covering the years 1759 and 1760. Years in which the Grand Duchess Catherine and Frederick the Great will be taking stock of their own respective situations and enacting plans to safeguard their own respective futures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Episode 79 - The Three Letters 24:47

1y ago24:47

24:47

It's Spring 1758 and Grand Duchess Catherine is attempting to extricate herself from yet another difficult situation. Meanwhile, over in Prussia, Frederick the Great, despite having just won major battles against the French and the Austrians, is trying to work out how to deal with the enemies that still surround him in every direction. One of them …

1
Episode 78 - Death, Madness and Banishment 23:48

1y ago23:48

23:48

This week we’ll be putting the seven years war to one side whilst we concentrate instead on events that took place in Russia during 1757 and 1758 which, in no particular order, include the reasons for, and the political and personal fallout from, that Russian withdrawal, Catherine and Stansislaus’s affair, the Empress Elizabeth’s health and Peter’s…

1
Episode 77 - Russia Attacks! 28:38

1+ y ago28:38

28:38

It's 1757 and for the first time in a long time the Russian army gets to flex its muscles. Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following - Exclusive membership of the Boyar Duma and a shout out on the Podcast Ad-free podcasts At least one members only episode per month Gen…

1
Episode 76 - Perfidious Albion 28:07

1+ y ago28:07

28:07

In this episode we’ll be taking a closer look at the affair between Catherine and Poniatowsky and we’ll be checking in on yet another health scare. But as interesting as those subjects are, we'll be spending the majority of our time getting to grips with some new, major developments on the European diplomatic front - developments that would turn th…

1
Episode 75 - An Ambassador calls 31:25

1+ y ago31:25

31:25

This time around there are Just two main items on the agenda - The Empress Elizabeth’s ongoing, and so-far frustrated efforts, to secure the Romanov succession and the political machinations and intrigues that would eventually lead to the outbreak of the Seven Years War. Oh and finally and as indicated by the title there is someone from outside of …

1
Episode 74 - In other news.... 24:53

1+ y ago24:53

24:53

This week, probably much to everyone's relief, we will be taking a break from the ceaseless round of court intrigue and instead we’ll be looking at what else was going on in Russia during the Elizabethan age. What else, apart from pilgrimages, cross-dressing balls, and controlling her dynasties destiny was Elizabeth up to and what was going on, awa…

1
Episode 73 - Treading Water 23:57

1+ y ago23:57

23:57

This week, I'm afraid, it's more court based chicanery and Intrigue (hence the title). However to avoid just doing a rinse and repeat, I’m going to speed things up a bit and the aim will be to get from where we are now, which is 1748, right through to the year 1753 where we will start to see that both at home and abroad, things were beginning to ta…

1
Episode 72 - Controlled, Isolated and Miserable 25:44

1+ y ago25:44

25:44

This week we’ll be covering the years between 1745 and 1748 and looking at how Peter, Catherine and Elizabeth were all getting along through the events and outcomes related to yet another series of court intrigues and incidents Plus we'll invetigate the European diplomatic and political scene in the aftermath of the recent war and then finally we’l…

1
Episode 71 - Sophie becomes Catherine 22:48

1+ y ago22:48

22:48

In this weeks episode we rejoin the main chronological narrative and take a look at the ups and downs of our key characters during 1744 and 1745.. On the up were the Empress Elizabeth, Sophie of Anhalt Zerbst, Maria Theresa of Austria and Alexei Bestuzhev Sliding down were Johanna of Brunswick and Frederick the great And Peter Fyodorovich..... well…

1
Episode 70 - State of Empire, State of Mind 21:51

1+ y ago21:51

21:51

In this episode we take a step back from the goings on at the Russian court and the war of the Austrian Succession and instead take a peek at the overall state of the Russian Empire and the overall state of Eliazabeth’s mind. Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the following -…

1
Episode 69 - Peter and ... Sophie? 27:59

2y ago27:59

27:59

It's January 1744 and Peter Fyodorovich the heir to the Russian throne and his aunt Elizabeth have got some German visitors to entertain and one of them is the almost 15 year old Sophie Friederike Auguste of Anhalt-Zerbst. In the meantime Prussia and France are again plotting against Bestuzhev and the Austrian empress, Maria Theresa, has her eyes o…

1
Episode 68 - The Lopukhina Conspiracy 26:17

2y ago26:17

26:17

This weeks episode is centered around the eponymous Lopukhina Conspiracy but who is doing the conspiring and who is being conspired against? Plus events in Sweden are brought to a head, George II, the King of England gets involved in the war of the Austrian Succession, things take a downward turn for the Brunswicks and the Empress Elizabeth goes ba…

1
Episode 67 - Venus Ascendant 24:45

2y ago24:45

24:45

Elizabeth has been busy putting her house in order which means that I have a number of loose ends to tie up. Plus we get to meet a distant relative and we'll also see what's been going on with the Austrians, French and Prussians. Click on one of the links below to join the Boyar Duma where for a small monthly subscription you'll receive the followi…

1
Episode 66 - The Unlikely Empress and the Unpragmatic Sanction 29:11

2y ago29:11

29:11

Elizabeth Petrovna is the new empress of Russia. However, she's busy getting her house in order and there is a coronation to plan. So whilst she's off doing that, we'll undertake a quick retrospective of Anna Ivanovna's reign and then we'll take a look at the causes, and the initial events, of the War of the Austrian Succession. Click on one of the…

1
Episode 65 - The Year of Living Dangerously 27:19

2y ago27:19

27:19

Today in a slightly longer episode than normal we’ll be covering the period between October 1740 and December 1741 which is 15 months and not a year but I think you’ll agree that ‘The 15 months of living dangerously’ doesn’t quite have the same ring to it. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Episode 64 - Twilight of the Miloslavskys? 23:09

2y ago23:09

23:09

If you want to sign up to get members only episodes, early access to general release episodes, ad free content and written transcripts, for the price of a cup of coffee a month, then you can in a couple of ways You can sign-up via the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net/ just click on the membership page or the Patreon Logo on the home …

1
Episode 63 - Persians, Plague and Priorities 25:17

2+ y ago25:17

25:17

Diplomacy with with the Persians, war with the Ottomans, an outbreak of Bubonic Plague and reform on the home front - plus I pronounce 'L'Hermitage' in a really strange way... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia

1
Episode 62 - Succession x2 24:53

2+ y ago24:53

24:53

After a couple of decades of peace most of Europe get's back to a more normal state of affairs with The War of the Polish Succession. Meanwhile back in Moscow, Anna had her own succesion decision to make and Elizabeth Petrovna needed to be careful. To sign-up for membership of the Boyar Duma Go to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net…

1
Episode 61 - The not so Jolly Company 24:39

2+ y ago24:39

24:39

A look at Anna's early life, her first three years in charge of Russia and what went on at court - allegedly..... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia

1
Episode 60 - The Council and the Tsar’s Daughter 20:04

2+ y ago20:04

20:04

The Supreme Privy Council finds itself in charge of Russia's fate - but will it's scheming be successful? Oh, and someone catches Smallpox... To sign-up for membership of the Boyar Duma Go to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home page Or go to patreon.com/historyofrussia Or…

1
Episode 59 - The Prince (Part 3) 24:18

2+ y ago24:18

24:18

The Prince takes the 11 year old Peter II under his wing (or thinks that he does) Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] To sign-up for membership of the Boyar Duma Go to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home page Or go …

1
Episode 58 - The Prince (Part 2) 23:48

2+ y ago23:48

23:48

This week we’ll be taking a closer look at the Supreme Privy council, Plus we’ll get to see how Russia and Great Britain almost came to blows and how Menshikov managed to get his daughter engaged to a member of the established imperial family. To sign-up for membership of the Boyar Duma Go to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net and …

1
Quick Podcast Update - January 2023 2:58

2+ y ago2:58

2:58

The Subscription service is live! To sign-up Go to the podcast website https://www.historyofrussia.net and visit the Membership Page or the Patreon Logo on the home page Or go to patreon.com/historyofrussia Or download the Patreon app - just search for patreon in either the the Apple App store or the Google play store Hosted on Acast. See acast.com…

1
Episode 57 - The Prince (Part 1) 22:02

2+ y ago22:02

22:02

Catherine I becomes Autocrat and Russia's first Empress But is she the one in charge? Contact Details - Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia

1
Episode 56 - Cossacks and Tatars 24:56

2+ y ago24:56

24:56

If you haven't already guessed, this week's episode is all about the Cossacks and the Tatars..... For further reading on the Age of Enlightenment - the-age-of-enlightenment Contact Details - Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Episode 55 - State of the Nations 4 (1725) 30:36

2+ y ago30:36

30:36

This week it’s state of the nation time again but with a twist because instead of just looking at Russia we’ll be covering what was going on with Russia’s neighbours, then Europe and finally, the rest of the world in the year 1725 Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast…

1
Episode 54 - Peter the Great (Part 9 - Reputation and Legacy) 20:02

2+ y ago20:02

20:02

This week we cover Peter the Great's reputation and legacy and take a look at who's in the frame to become the next ruler of Russia Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia

1
Episode 53 - Peter the Great (Part 8 - The Emperor of all the Russias) 27:55

2+ y ago27:55

27:55

This week we analyse the death of Alexei Petrovich, take a checkpoint of Russia in 1721, look at events between 1721 and 1725 and then finally cover Peter's declining health.... Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Episode 52 - Peter the Great (Part 7 - St Petersburg and family matters) 28:42

2+ y ago28:42

28:42

This week we look at the creation of a new city and how Peter got along with his son and heir, Alexei. Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia

1
Episode 51 - Peter the Great (Part 6 - The conclusion of the Great Northern War) 24:53

3y ago24:53

24:53

We reach the defining phase of the Great Northern War, cover the severe winter of 1708/09, and take a look at Peter's new brains trust. Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia

1
Episode 50 - Peter the Great (Part 5 - The Great Northern War begins) 23:48

3y ago23:48

23:48

Denmark, Poland/Saxony and Russia want to crush Sweden. Charles XII, the Swedish King, has other ideas..... Period covered - 1701 to 1706 Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia

1
Episode 49 - Peter the Great (Part 4 - Out with the old) 25:15

3y ago25:15

25:15

Peter's back in Moscow and change is in the air... Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia

1
Episode 48 - Peter the Great (Part 3 - The Grand Embassy) 24:39

3y ago24:39

24:39

Tsar Peter goes to Europe on a shipbuilding/diplomacy/drinking trip Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia

1
Episode 47 - Peter the Great (Part 2 - Taking control) 22:26

3y ago22:26

22:26

This week we cover Peter's overall aims and ambitions, take a further look at the all Joking all Drunken Synod of Fools and Jesters, and see how Russia fares against the Ottomans during the Azov campaign. Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more info…

1
Episode 46 - Peter the Great (Part 1, The early years) 26:48

3y ago26:48

26:48

This week's episode sees the start of a multi-part series all about the life and times of Peter the Great. Part 1 takes a look at Peter's early years and covers the period between 1672 and 1696 Website https://www.historyofrussia.net Twitter HistoryRussia1 Email [email protected] Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.…

1
Episode 45 - State of the Nation 3 (1689) and Listeners Questions 41:52

3y ago41:52

41:52

A birds-eye view of Russia and the world in 1689 plus listener questions answered. (hopefully...) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.By historyofrussia