The Romanovs: From Exile to Imperial Throne

The Story of Italy: Rome, Renaissance, and the Birth of Modern Europe — Fexingo History · Sep 21, 2026 · 6m · transcript

We trace the Romanov dynasty from its obscure origins in the late thirteenth century through the dramatic accession of Michael Romanov in 1613. This episode explores how a minor noble family navigated the Time of Troubles, survived the devastating plague of 1654, and expanded into one of the world's largest empires. We examine the pivotal role of Patriarch Nikon, the schism that split Russian Orthodoxy, and the reforms of Peter the Great that forced Russia onto the European stage. Along the way, we look at the lives of Catherine I, the regency of Anna Ioannovna, and the eventual ascent…