In this episode of pplpod, we explore the complex and bloody legacy of Ivan IV Vasilyevich, the ruler who transformed Russia from a medieval state into a fledgling empire. We examine his journey from an orphaned boy mistreated by rival nobles to his coronation as the first "Tsar of All Russia" at the age of sixteen,.

Join us as we break down the two distinct eras of his reign:

• The Modernizer: We discuss Ivan’s early reforms, including the establishment of Russia’s first parliament, the introduction of the printing press, and the military conquests of Kazan and Astrakhan that expanded his dominion down the Volga,,.

• The Autocrat: We trace the dark turn in Ivan's rule following the suspected poisoning of his first wife, Anastasia. Learn about the Oprichnina, a state-within-a-state crea ...