Mongol Siege of Ryazan: The First City to Fall to Batu

In December 1237, the Mongol army under Batu Khan and Subutai crossed the frozen Volga and struck the first major blow against the Rus' principalities. The siege of Ryazan was a brutal introduction to Mongol warfare for the fractured Rus' princes. We explore the political backdrop, the legendary defense led by Prince Yuri Igorevich, the famed story of Yevpaty Kolovrat's revenge, and how the Mongols used terror as a weapon. We also touch on the differences between Mongol sieges in the east and the more fortified cities of Europe, and why Ryazan was never rebuilt on its original site. This episode covers the opening act of the Mongol invasion of Rus', setting the stage for the fall of Vladimir and Kiev. #MongolInvasion #SiegeOfRyazan #BatuKhan #Subutai #KievanRus #YevpatyKolovrat #MongolSiege #MedievalWarfare #PrinceYuriIgorevich #VolgaBulgaria #MongolEmpire #13thCentury #EasternEurope #History #FexingoHistory #SiegeWarfare #RusPrincipalities #MongolTactics Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo