logo
episode-header-image
Apr 2021
33m 31s

Catherine the Great

History Hit
About this episode
Catherine the Great came from minor German nobility to become Empress of Russia and one of the most extraordinary women of the eighteenth century. Dan is joined today on the podcast by Hilde Hoogenboom, translator of Catherine the Great’s Memoirs https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/25280/the-memoirs-of-catherine-the-great-by-catherine-the-great/. Hilde is a literary historian who has delved deep into the archive material about Catherine, much of it written by Catherine herself, which details her thoughts about constitutions and how governments should be run. Hilda also helps bust some of the myths around Catherine's life and reign, in particular, the misogynistic rumours about her sex life which have persisted long after the end of her reign.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Up next
Today
The Khmer Rouge & Pol Pot's Reign of Terror
When the Khmer Rouge marched into Phnom Penh in April, 1975, they immediately declared 'Year Zero' - a ruthless ideological crusade to reset history, and forge Pol Pot's vision for a communist utopia. Over the next four years, the regime carried out a genocide that killed nearly ... Show More
1 h
Oct 15
The Real History Behind the Illuminati
Obviously, a secret sect doesn't control global events - despite what the internet says. But the myth of a shadowy cabal of elites grew out of a very real secret order, and one that went extinct within a decade. So what is the true story of the Illuminati? And why has it been bla ... Show More
45m 13s
Oct 12
The October Revolution
On the night of October 10th, 1917, a revolutionary disguised as a priest slipped into an apartment in Petrograd and browbeat his comrades into an armed insurrection. The revolutionary in question was Vladimir Lenin, and two weeks later, he and the Bolsheviks seized power in a co ... Show More
47m 46s
Recommended Episodes
Aug 2023
75. Catherine the Great: The Golden Age
Not a drop of Russian blood. A woman in a world ruled by men. A loveless marriage to a man who lacked even a shred of empathy. The odds were always stacked against Catherine the Great when she arrived from Prussia. But this German Princess and child of the Enlightenment was a pol ... Show More
51m 23s
Dec 2024
Catherine the Great: life of the week
Catherine the Great stands out from the rulers of Imperial Russia – a 'philosopher empress' whose wit, political savvy, and unyielding ambition transformed her empire into a European powerhouse. Seizing the throne through an audacious coup against her own husband, Catherine wield ... Show More
37m 15s
Jan 2024
Catherine the Great
In the first episode of a new series, Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Julia Leikin and comedian David Mitchell to learn all about the life of Catherine II of Russia, better known as Catherine the Great. Catherine’s story is full of contradictions and ambiguities. She was a German pri ... Show More
57m 54s
Nov 2025
Catherine the Great
Drift off to sleep with the remarkable life of Catherine the Great in this relaxing bedtime history story. From a young German princess to one of Russia’s most powerful and enlightened rulers, Catherine’s reign was marked by ambition, intelligence, and sweeping reform. But who wa ... Show More
48m 15s
Apr 2024
Catherine the Great (Radio Edit)
Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Julia Leikin and comedian David Mitchell to learn all about the life of Catherine II of Russia, better known as Catherine the Great. Catherine’s story is full of contradictions and ambiguities. She was a German princess who became empress of all Russia ... Show More
28m 32s
Feb 2020
Catherine the Great and her Husband the Mediocre
<p>Catherine the Great, Russia's most famous Empress, wasn't born in Russia—she was a minor German princess engaged to the future Emperor. But less than a year after her husband ascended to the Russian throne, Catherine overthrew him in a coup with the help of her lover in one of ... Show More
26m 42s
Sep 2024
#184 Catherine the Great, Empress of Russia
📖 Episode Transcripts in Link Below ⬇️ Today, we’ll delve into the fascinating life of one of Russia’s most powerful and influential rulers—Catherine the Great. Her reign not only marked a significant period in Russian history but also left an indelible impact on European politi ... Show More
5m 24s
May 2020
Catherine the Great *An entirely true story
Have you watched Hulu's series, The Great, and wondered what parts were true? Here is a revisit to part one of our coverage of the very true life of Catherine the Great, a German princess who became the Empress of Russia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adcho ... Show More
1h 11m
Aug 2022
Catherine the Great: An enlightened despot?
Strong, determined, cultured and desperate for true love. Catherine the Great was Russia's longest ruling female leader. She was also its last. In hindsight, her rise to power was no accident.Support the show: https://www.aljazeera.com/podcasts/hindsight/ 
46m 34s