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 wielded her authority with an iron grip, balancing the volatile ambitions of her cour ... Show More
Yesterday
Everyday life in a slave trading town
In 1665 the Portuguese Inquisition arrested Crispina Peres, a powerful slave trader in the west African port of Cacheu. The records of her case provide a remarkable window into everyday life in 17th-century west Africa, and form the basis of Toby Green's latest book, The Heretic ... Show More
30 m
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
<p><strong> </strong></p><br><p>She seized power from her weak husband and would go down in history as a strong and powerful Empress. </p><p>In this episode, we look at how Catherine The Great managed it, and how she was a victim of terrible double standards against women. </p><u ... Show More
