EPISODE · Jul 3, 2026 · 9 MIN
Ivan the Terrible: The Oprichnina and Russia's Reign of Terror
from The Romanov Dynasty: Rise, Power, and Bloody End — Fexingo History · host Fexingo
In this episode, Lucas and Luna delve into one of the darkest chapters of Russian history: Ivan IV's Oprichnina. From 1565 to 1572, Ivan the Terrible carved out a separate state within Russia, ruled by his personal guard, the oprichniki. They discuss the brutal purge of the boyars, the mysterious death of Metropolitan Filipp, and the horrific Massacre of Novgorod. Lucas explains Ivan's psychology, the role of his advisors like Alexei Basmanov and Malyuta Skuratov, and how the Oprichnina ultimately gutted the Russian state and economy. They explore the disputed etymology of 'oprichnina' and its legacy as a tool of paranoid tyranny. This episode offers a gripping look at how one man's instability reshaped a nation. #IvanTheTerrible #Oprichnina #RussianHistory #Oprichniki #MalyutaSkuratov #NovgorodMassacre #MetropolitanFilipp #TsardomOfRussia #16thCentury #Terror #Boyars #AlexeiBasmanov #Skuratov #IvanIV #History #FexingoHistory #EasternEurope #Tyranny Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo
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Ivan the Terrible: The Oprichnina and Russia's Reign of Terror
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