The Rest Is History 567. The Great Northern War: Murder in Moscow (Part 4)
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May 21, 2025 Peter the Great's reign transformed Russia into a European power but came at a personal cost. The podcast explores his eccentric court, highlighted by a humorous dwarf wedding that marked the absurdity of his rule. Tensions rise as Peter's relationship with his son Alexis turns tragic, culminating in a harrowing tale of betrayal and manipulation. The dramatic pursuit of Alexis, who fled to Vienna, underscores the fragility of loyalty and power in a turbulent era, providing a poignant reflection on the dark side of familial ties and authority.
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Grotesque Dwarf Wedding Feast
- Peter the Great hosted a bizarre wedding feast where all attendees were dwarves, reflecting his dark sense of humor.
- This event symbolized the grotesque and outlandish atmosphere at his court, surprising foreign visitors.
St. Petersburg: Beauty From Bones
- St. Petersburg was built on marshland and the bones of conscripts, yet it emerged as a spectacularly beautiful city.
- The city symbolized Western rationalist ideals imposed on a harsh, difficult environment.
St. Petersburg: East Meets West
- St. Petersburg mixed European modernity with exotic Eastern influences, surprising Western diplomats.
- It embodied Russia as a cultural crossroads and a showcase of exoticism during Peter's reign.
