Greg Jenner is joined by Dr Julia Leikin and comedian David Mitchell to learn all about the life of Catherine II of Russia, better known as Catherine the Great. Catherine’s story is full of contradictions and ambiguities. She was a German princess who became empress of all Russia, a ruler who believed in Enlightenment philosophy but championed imperial expansion, and a sexually open woman in the patriarchal eighteenth century. From her childhood in Germany through her marriage to the heir to the Russian throne and eventual coup against his rule, this episode charts the twists and turns of Catherine’s life, and asks what kind of ruler she really was.

This is a radio edit of the original podcast episode. For the full-length version, please look further back in the feed.

Hosted by: Greg JennerResearch by: Jon MasonWritten by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow, Emma Nagouse, and Greg JennerProduced by: Emmie Rose Price-Goodfellow and Greg JennerAudio Producer: Steve HankeySenior Producer: Emma Nagouse