Episodes
The Horde's Enemy Within: Khan Berke and the Civil War
Before the Great Troubles tore the Golden Horde apart, there was another war — one that pitted Khan Berke against his own cousin, Hulagu of the Ilkhanate. This episode digs into the 1262 clash on the Terek River, the diplomatic chess with the Mamluks and Byzantines, and how Berke's conversion to Islam reshaped the Horde's place in the world. We untangle the Mongol internal politics that led to open warfare, the role of the Caucasus — a region the Mongols called home — and the strange alliances…
The Last Great Stand of the Horde: Edigu's 1408 Kremlin Siege
In 1408, the Golden Horde, once the terror of Rus', launched its final major assault on Moscow. This episode unpacks the forgotten campaign of Emir Edigu, the Horde's power behind the throne, as he marched on the Kreml, torched the settlements, and demanded a return to tributary obedience. We walk through the siege's brutal mechanics — the cannon fire, the arrows 'like rain,' the burning churches — and why Moscow's Grand Prince Vasily I, unlike his father Dmitry Donskoy, chose not to fight. We…
Khan Tokhtamysh's Moscow Burn
After the Great Troubles and Mamai's defeat at Kulikovo, a new khan emerged from the east to reunite the Golden Horde. Tokhtamysh, a Chinggisid prince backed by Timur, swept aside the warlord Mamai and then turned on Moscow itself. In 1382, he burned the city to the ground, proving that the Horde was far from finished. This episode follows Tokhtamysh's rise, his dramatic siege of Moscow — complete with a deadly ruse involving the princes of Suzdal — and the fall of his reign when he turned…
The Horde's Last Convert: Khan Berdi Beg and the Great Troubles
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the brief and turbulent reign of Berdi Beg, the last khan of the Golden Horde's unified period. They trace his rise through the murder of his father Janibeg, the purges that decimated the Jochid dynasty, and the outbreak of the Great Troubles, a two-decade civil war that shattered the Horde's power. Along the way, they examine the role of the plague, the shifting loyalties of the Crimean and Kazan khanates, and the rise of Mamai as a kingmaker. Lucas…
Sarai's Last Great Khan: The Rule of Janibeg
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the reign of Janibeg, the last great khan of the Golden Horde. They discuss his rise to power after the mysterious death of his brother Tinibeg, his military campaigns against the Ilkhanate and the Genoese, and his role in the Black Death's arrival at Caffa. The episode also covers Janibeg's administrative reforms, his patronage of Islam and urban development, and the succession crisis that followed his death, which plunged the Horde into the Great…
The Horde's Tribute Economy: Beyond the Yarlyk
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the economic machinery behind Mongol rule over Russia, focusing on the tribute system that sustained the Golden Horde. They trace the flow of silver and goods from Russian lands to Sarai, explain the role of the baskak and darughachi in tax collection, and discuss how the Horde's policies shaped Moscow's rise. Along the way, they touch on the transition from traditional tribute to the Moscow-centered tax farming under Ivan Kalita, the impact of the Black…
The Mongol Yoke's End: Ivan III and the Ugra
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the dramatic final decades of the Golden Horde's grip on Russia, focusing on the pivotal events that led to the end of the so-called Mongol yoke. They discuss the rise of the Great Horde under Akhmat Khan, the diplomatic maneuvering of Ivan III of Muscovy, and the enigmatic 1480 standoff on the Ugra River that ended without a major battle. The hosts also examine the role of the Crimean Khanate, the fragile alliances with the Polish-Lithuanian Union, and…
The Great Stand on the Ugra River: How Muscovy Broke the Horde
In 1480, Ivan III of Moscow and Khan Akhmat of the Great Horde faced off across the Ugra River for months, ending in a bloodless standoff that marked the end of Mongol rule over Russia. This episode explores the political and military context: the crumbling of the Golden Horde, the rise of Muscovy, the role of Sophia Paleologue and Casimir IV, and the legacy of the 'Tatar yoke'. We discuss the myths and realities of the stand, what historians argue about its meaning, and why it matters as the…
The Great Stand on the Ugra River: How Muscovy Broke the Horde
In 1480, Ivan III of Moscow faced off against Khan Akhmat of the Great Horde on the banks of the Ugra River. The two armies stared at each other for weeks, neither daring to cross—until the Mongols simply turned and went home. This episode unpacks the standoff that ended two centuries of Mongol rule over Russia. We trace the rise of the Great Horde after the fragmentation of the Golden Horde, the diplomatic games between Ivan III, the Crimean Khanate, and the Polish-Lithuanian king Casimir IV…
The Horde's Last Stand: Edigu's 1408 Siege of Moscow
In 1408, the Golden Horde seemed finished. Timur had sacked Sarai, Tokhtamysh was dead, and Moscow had stopped paying tribute. Then a wily emir named Edigu pulled the Horde back from the brink, marched on Moscow, and forced the Russians to bow once more. This episode unpacks Edigu's rise from the Manghut clan, his decade as kingmaker behind puppet khans, and his brutal siege of Moscow — a campaign that nearly destroyed the city and set the stage for the Horde's long, grinding decline. We trace…
The Great Troubles: How the Golden Horde's Civil War Shook Eurasia
In this episode of Fexingo History, Lucas and Luna delve into the Great Troubles, the two-decade civil war that tore the Golden Horde apart in the mid-1300s. We trace the murder of Khan Berdi Beg in 1359, the rapid succession of puppet khans, and the rise of powerful emirs like Mamai and Edigu who pulled the strings from behind the throne. We explore how the Horde's internal chaos weakened its grip on Russian principalities, leading to Moscow's bold defiance at the Battle of Kulikovo in 1380…
Sword of the Khan: Nogai, the Horde's Shadow Kingmaker
Before Mamai and Tokhtamysh, there was Nogai. For over three decades, this crafty great-grandson of Jochi pulled the strings of the Golden Horde's throne, deciding the fate of khans, princes, and entire nations. In this episode, Lucas and Luna trace Nogai's rise from a trusted general under Batu's successors to the de facto ruler of the western steppe. They explore his role in the Mongol civil wars against the Ilkhanate, his patronage of the Genoese trade in Caffa, and his disastrous…
The Mongol Noose: How the Horde Starved Novgorod
In 1238, the Mongol army under Batu Khan turned north after sacking Vladimir and set its sights on Novgorod, the richest trading city in Rus'. But at a place called Ignach Cross, just 100 kilometers short of the city, the invasion halted. Why did the Mongols turn back? Was it the spring thaw, as the chronicles claim, or something more strategic? This episode unpacks the legend and the logistics—how the frozen rivers and swampy forests shaped Mongol campaign planning, how Novgorod's boyars and…
The Mongol Empire's Steppe Diplomacy and the Art of the Paiza
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the diplomatic machinery of the Golden Horde, focusing on the paiza — the inscribed metal or wooden tablet that gave Mongol envoys and officials the authority to command horses, food, and lodging across the vast imperial road system. They trace its origins to Genghis Khan's yam, its role in controlling trade and tribute, and its echoes in Russian and Persian chronicles. The conversation also touches on the paiza's connection to the yarlyk, the ornate…
The Mongols' Secret Weapon: The Yam Postal System
Before the internet, before the Pony Express, the Mongol Empire built the world's most efficient communication network. In this episode of The Golden Horde, Lucas and Luna trace the yam — the vast relay system of horse stations that let a message cross the steppe from Sarai to Karakorum in weeks, not months. They explore how Genghis Khan's sons and successors turned a simple postal idea into the nervous system of an empire, why it terrified European travelers like Marco Polo, and how Russian…
The Horde's Steppe Gold: Coinage and the Sarai Mint
In the heart of the steppe, the Golden Horde minted a currency that would define an era. This episode follows the evolution of Mongol coinage from the early copper pul to the silver som, and the rise of Sarai al-Jadid as a minting powerhouse. We trace how Berke, Mengu-Timur, and Uzbek Khan standardized the denga, influencing Russian trade and taxation for centuries. Along the way, we meet the moneyers who stamped the tamga, the merchants who carried the coins along the Silk Road, and the khans…
The Mongol Siege of Ryazan: First Blood at the Oka
Before Moscow, before the Ugra, there was Ryazan. In December 1237, Batu Khan's tumens swept across the frozen Oka River and hit the Principality of Ryazan — the first major Russian city to face the full fury of the Mongol invasion. This episode walks you through the siege from the inside: Yuri Ingvarevich's desperate embassy to Batu's camp, the five-day assault with Chinese siege engines, the fall of the city, and the brutal sack that followed. We look at what the Rus' actually knew about the…
The Horde's Steppe Gold: Coinage and the Sarai Mint
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Golden Horde's sophisticated monetary system, from the silver som and copper pul to the great mint at Sarai al-Jadid. They discuss how the Horde's coinage facilitated trade across Eurasia, funded the state, and even influenced Russian currency. The episode covers the role of Genoese merchants, the reforms of Khan Janibeg, and the debasement that accompanied the Great Troubles, revealing the economic sinews of Mongol power. #GoldenHorde #MongolEmpire…
1262: The Russian Revolt Against the Mongol Tax Farmers
In 1262, a wave of rebellion swept through the cities of northeastern Russia—Rostov, Yaroslavl, Vladimir, Suzdal, and others—as the populace rose up against the Mongol tax farmers known as the besermen. These Muslim merchants, contracted by Khan Berke to collect the tribute, had become notorious for their harsh methods. The revolt, which erupted spontaneously, was a direct challenge to the Golden Horde's authority, yet also exposed the limits of Mongol control. Alexander Nevsky, the Grand…
The Black Death on the Steppe: How Plague Reshaped the Golden Horde
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the catastrophic impact of the Black Death on the Golden Horde. They trace the plague's arrival via the Silk Road in the 1340s, its role in the famous siege of Caffa in 1346, and the devastation of the Jochid ulus. Discover how the pandemic killed millions, decimated the Horde's army and economy, and contributed directly to the political fragmentation known as the Great Troubles. The conversation also examines the surprising ways the plague shifted the…
The Khan's Favourite: How Uzbeg Elevated Moscow Over Tver
In this episode of The Golden Horde: Mongol Rule Over Russia Explained, Lucas and Luna explore the pivotal reign of Khan Uzbeg (Öz Beg), the longest-ruling khan of the Jochid ulus. After the Tver uprising of 1327, Uzbeg made a calculated decision that would reshape Russian history: he transferred the lucrative yarlyk (patent of rule) for the Grand Principality of Vladimir from Tver to Moscow, elevating Ivan Kalita and his fledgling principality. Why did Uzbeg back Moscow over the more powerful…
The Mongol Census: How the Horde Counted Russia
In this episode, Lucas and Luna delve into the Mongol census system—the 'chislo'—that allowed the Golden Horde to tax and control its Russian subjects. They explore how Mongol officials conducted the first comprehensive population counts in Rus', the role of the 'baskaks' as tax collectors, and the administrative impact on principalities like Novgorod and Vladimir. The conversation also covers the introduction of the 'tamga' trade tax, the resistance of some cities, and how the census system…
Caffa and the Genoese: The Golden Horde's Mediterranean Trade
Lucas and Luna explore the vibrant trade networks connecting the Golden Horde to the Mediterranean via Genoese colonies like Caffa and Tana. Learn how furs, slaves, and grain flowed southward while luxury silks and spices came north, shaping the economy of the Jochid ulus. The episode covers the 1266 treaty granting Caffa to Genoa, the role of the Black Sea slave trade in supplying Mamluk armies, and the diplomatic ties between khans and Italian merchant republics. It also touches on how this…
The Mongol Civil War: Golden Horde vs Ilkhanate
The Mongol Empire fractured within a generation of Genghis Khan. This episode dives into the decades-long war between the Golden Horde and the Ilkhanate—two Chinggisid states that turned from allies to bitter enemies. We cover the Battle of the Terek River (1262), the alliance between Berke Khan and the Mamluks, the role of religion and trade, and how the conflict reshaped Central Asia and the Middle East. Lucas and Luna explore key figures like Hulegu, Berke, Abaqa, and Mengu-Timur, and…
The Battle of the Vorskla River 1399: The Horde's Greatest Victory
In 1399, the armies of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania met the forces of the Golden Horde on the banks of the Vorskla River. It was the culmination of a decade of intrigue: Tokhtamysh, the deposed khan, had fled to the court of Vytautas the Great, offering vast steppe lands in exchange for military aid. Meanwhile, the Horde's de facto ruler, Emir Edigu, saw an opportunity to crush both his rival and an expanding Lithuania. The resulting battle was a disaster for Vytautas, with thousands of knights…
The Yarlyk: How Mongol Khans Controlled Russian Princes
This episode unpacks the Mongol system of granting yarlyks—the patents that determined who would rule which Russian principality. Almost no Russian prince could claim his throne without a ride to Sarai and a humbling audience with the khan. We trace how this mechanism turned the house of Moscow into the Horde's primary tax collector, from Daniel of Moscow through Ivan Kalita, and how the rivalry between Tver and Moscow played out in the throne room of Khan Uzbek. Along the way we meet the…
Tokhtamysh: The Khan Who Burned Moscow and Defied Timur
After Dmitry Donskoy's victory at Kulikovo in 1380, the Golden Horde seemed broken. But a new khan rose from the steppe: Tokhtamysh, a Chinggisid prince backed by the great conqueror Timur. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how Tokhtamysh reunited the Jochid ulus, tricked his way into Moscow in 1382 and burned it to the ground, and then made the fatal mistake of challenging his benefactor. They follow Tokhtamysh's lightning campaign that restored Horde dominance over Russia, his overreach…
Mamai: The Kingmaker Who Almost Ruled the Horde
In this episode, Lucas and Luna dive into the life and legacy of Mamai, the powerful emir who pulled the strings of the Golden Horde during its darkest days. After the Great Troubles shattered the Jochid ulus, Mamai rose as a kingmaker, placing puppet khans on the throne and wielding authority that rivaled any Chinggisid. They explore his early career, his military campaigns against the Russian principalities, and the pivotal Battle of the Vozha River in 1378. Then they unpack the Battle of…
1327: The Mongol Revenge on Tver – A Tale of Betrayal
In 1327, the city of Tver erupted in a bloody uprising against Mongol rule, killing the hated baskak Shevkal and his garrison. Khan Uzbek's response was swift and devastating: he ordered the destruction of Tver, and Moscow's Prince Ivan Kalita eagerly led the punitive expedition. This episode of 'The Golden Horde: Mongol Rule Over Russia Explained' tells the story of that revolt, the rumors that sparked it, and how it permanently shifted the balance of power among the Rus' principalities. We…
How Mongol Rule Bolstered the Russian Orthodox Church
In this episode of The Golden Horde, Lucas and Luna explore a surprising outcome of Mongol domination: the strengthening of the Russian Orthodox Church. While the Horde's khans converted to Islam, they issued special charters—yarliks—that granted the church tax exemptions, judicial autonomy, and protection of property. This allowed metropolitans like Peter and Alexy to amass wealth and political influence, eventually making the church a cornerstone of Moscow's rise. The episode covers Khan…
The Great Standoff on the Ugra River: Russia's Final Break from the Horde
In 1480, Ivan III of Moscow faced off against Khan Ahmad of the Great Horde on the banks of the Ugra River. For months, two armies stared each other down, neither willing to cross. Then, without a major battle, the Mongols withdrew. The so-called 'Great Stand on the Ugra' has been mythologized as the end of Mongol rule over Russia — but the reality is more complicated. This episode of The Golden Horde dives into the politics, the shifting alliances (including the role of the Crimean Khanate and…
The Horde's Steppe Conversion: How Islam Remade Sarai
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the gradual Islamization of the Jochid ulus, focusing on the pivotal reign of Khan Berke (r. 1257–1266), the first Mongol ruler of the Golden Horde to embrace Islam. They discuss how Berke's conversion was driven by political alliances with the Mamluk Sultanate against the Ilkhanate, and how it reshaped the Horde's identity without erasing its steppe traditions. The conversation examines the tension between the Yasa code and sharia, the role of Sufi…
Horde's Steppe Sisters: Mongol Women Who Ruled the Empire
When we think of the Mongol Empire, we think of Genghis Khan, Batu, and warrior horsemen. But behind the yurts and yarlyks, Mongol women wielded astonishing power—as regents, diplomats, estate managers, and even battlefield commanders. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the lives of figures like Töregene Khatun, who ruled the entire empire as regent after Ögedei's death; Sorghaghtani Beki, the Nestorian Christian mother of Kublai and Hulagu who shaped Jochid succession; and the…
Horde's Steppe Storm: Moscow vs the Great Troubles
When the Golden Horde fell into civil war, Moscow saw a chance. In the 1370s, while Mamai and Tokhtamysh fought for control of Sarai, Prince Dmitry Donskoy stopped paying tribute and defeated a Mongol army at the Battle of the Vozha River in 1378. But his bold test set the stage for the disastrous Mongol sack of Moscow in 1382. This episode follows the bewildering seesaw of fortunes—how Dmitry's victory at Kulikovo in 1380 was undone just two years later when Tokhtamysh stormed the Kremlin with…
The Horde's Steppe Law: How the Yasa Governed an Empire
In this episode of The Golden Horde: Mongol Rule Over Russia Explained, hosts Lucas and Luna explore the Yasa, the great legal code attributed to Genghis Khan that held the Mongol Empire together. They discuss how the Yasa blended tribal custom, military discipline, and religious tolerance, and how it was applied across the diverse peoples of the Jochid ulus. The conversation covers specific provisions—like the death penalty for stealing livestock or fleeing in battle—and the role of judges…
The Horde's Steppe Hunt: Mongol Nerge and the Origins of Russian Warfare
This episode of The Golden Horde: Mongol Rule Over Russia Explained dives into the nerge, the massive coordinated hunt that doubled as military training for Mongol armies. Lucas explains how the nerge evolved from a steppe hunting tactic into a devastating siege strategy used against Russian fortresses. He recounts the siege of Ryazan in 1237, where Batu Khan's forces employed a nerge-style encirclement to crush the city, and traces how Russian princes like Ivan III later adopted similar…
The Horde's Steppe Princess: How a Mongol Marriage Saved Moscow
In 1317, a Mongol princess named Konchaka — sister of Khan Uzbek of the Jochid ulus — was married to Yuri of Moscow, a rising Russian prince. This episode unpacks the marriage alliance that reshaped the power balance in medieval Russia. Through Konchaka's story, we explore how the Golden Horde used marriage politics to control its tributary states, how princesses like her navigated life between Sarai and the Russian principalities, and how her mysterious death in Tver triggered a devastating…
The Horde's Steppe Blaze: Mongol Fire Weapons and Gunpowder
Before the Ming dynasty, before the Ottoman Janissaries, the Mongol Golden Horde experimented with gunpowder weapons on the steppe. This episode traces the journey of 'fire medicine' from Song China through the Silk Road to Sarai, where Khan Janibeg's siege of Caffa in 1346 saw some of the earliest recorded use of cannons and bombs in Eastern Europe. We explore the fire-lance, the huochong, and the mysterious 'Greek fire' of the steppe, drawing on accounts from Ibn Battuta, the Yuan shi, and…
The Horde's Steppe Siege: Mongol Warfare Against Russian Fortresses
This episode dives into the Mongol strategy for besieging Russian fortified towns during the 13th-century invasion. Lucas and Luna explore the siege of Ryazan in 1237, where Batu Khan's forces used Chinese-engineered catapults and trebuchets to breach the city's oak walls in just five days. They discuss the use of captured prisoners as forced labor to build siege engines, the psychological impact of Mongol feigned retreats, and the role of the nerge (steppe hunt) as a tactical maneuver. The…
The Mongol Yam System: How the Horde Built an Information Superhighway
Lucas and Luna explore the Mongol Yam — the legendary relay postal and intelligence network that stretched across the Jochid ulus and beyond. They trace its origins to Chinggis Khan's Yasa, its expansion under Ögedei and Khan Berke, and its role in binding the Golden Horde together. The episode covers how the yam worked: stations every 25–30 miles, relay riders, paiza passes, and the horses that could cover 200 miles in a day. They discuss how Russian princes like Alexander Nevsky and Ivan…
The Horde's Steppe Plague: How the Black Death Hit Sarai
In 1346, the Black Death arrived at the frontiers of the Golden Horde, and by 1347 it was ravaging the capital Sarai. This episode follows the plague's trajectory from the siege of Caffa — where the Mongols catapulted infected corpses over the walls, a story often cited as early biological warfare — to the heart of the Jochid ulus. We examine the toll on the Horde's military, trade, and political stability, drawing on accounts from Ibn al-Wardi, Gabriele de' Mussi, and Russian chronicles. The…
The Horde's Steppe Doctor: Mongol Medicine in Sarai
Long before the steppe empires were known for their military might, the Jochid ulus developed a sophisticated medical system blending Mongolian, Persian, and Chinese traditions. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the bustling hospitals of Sarai, the surgical skills of Mongol barber-surgeons, and the herbal remedies that traveled the Silk Road. They discuss the legacy of Rashid al-Din's medical encyclopedia, the role of the yam in distributing medicines, and how Mongol physicians treated…
The Horde's Steppe Economy: Mongol Trade and Taxation That Shaped Russia
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the economic system of the Golden Horde, focusing on how Mongol trade and taxation policies transformed the Russian principalities. They discuss the role of the yam (postal relay system), the tamga (commercial tax), the vykhod (tribute collection), and the impact of Mongol rule on Russian merchants and cities like Moscow. The episode also covers the use of the Mongol silver dirham, the influence of the Silk Road, and the rise of the Muscovite treasury.…
The Battle of Kulikovo: Russia's First Stand Against the Horde
In 1380, a coalition of Russian principalities led by Dmitry Donskoy of Moscow met the Mongol army of Mamai at Kulikovo Field. This episode unpacks the battle itself — the controversial 'ambush regiment' tactic, the duel between Alexander Peresvet and Chelubey, and the aftermath that saw Moscow emerge as the leader of Russian resistance. We discuss the political maneuvering before the battle, including Dmitry's alliance with other princes and the role of the Orthodox Church. Was Kulikovo truly…
The Horde's Steppe Faith: Khan Uzbek's Islamic Revolution
In the early 14th century, the Golden Horde underwent a profound transformation under Khan Uzbek, who made Islam the state religion. But this wasn't a simple conversion—it was a carefully orchestrated political move that reshaped the entire Jochid ulus. This episode explores how Uzbek Khan, born a Tengrist, embraced Islam and enforced it across the steppe, facing resistance from traditional Mongol shamans and Buddhist nobles. We delve into the role of Sufi missionaries like Sayyid Ata, who…
The Horde's Steppe Blacksmiths: Mongol Metallurgy and Armor
In this episode of The Golden Horde, Lucas and Luna explore the overlooked world of Mongol blacksmithing and armor-making. They trace the origins of the Mongol compound bow, the use of lamellar armor, and the role of captured Chinese and Persian craftsmen in the Jochid ulus. The discussion covers the famous 'Mongol helmet' design, the production of stirrups that enabled cavalry dominance, and the economic impact of the Horde's iron trade. Lucas explains how the yam system facilitated the…
The Silk Road Under the Horde: Mongol Trade Routes That Connected the World
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore how the Golden Horde's control over the Silk Road transformed Eurasia into a single economic zone. From the bustling markets of Sarai to the Crimean port of Caffa, they trace the flow of silk, spices, furs, and slaves that linked China to the Mediterranean. They discuss the role of the Pax Mongolica, the spread of paper money from the Yuan dynasty, and the Italian merchant colonies that thrived under Mongol protection. The episode covers key figures like…
The Horde's Steppe Census: Mongol Taxation That Built Moscow
In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore the Mongol taxation system that transformed medieval Russia. They discuss the chislo census, the baskak tax collectors, the yarlyk patent system, and how Khan Berke's fiscal reforms in the 1250s laid the groundwork for Moscow's rise. The conversation covers the Novgorod First Chronicle's account of the 1257 census, Alexander Nevsky's role in enforcing Mongol tribute, and the vykhod tax that funded Sarai's economy. They examine the yam postal relay system…
The Horde's Steppe City: Daily Life in Sarai
This episode brings the Mongol capital Sarai to life: its markets, mosques, palaces, and the daily existence of its mixed population of Kipchaks, Russians, Mongol elites, and Persian merchants. Lucas and Luna walk through the city's bustling bazaars, visit the khan's court, and explore how Sarai served as a hub on the Silk Road. They discuss the city's layout, its water supply system via clay pipes, the crafts and goods traded there, and the role of Orthodox Christians in a predominantly Muslim…
Sarai's Library: The Lost Books of Mongol Russia
Beneath the ruins of Old Sarai, the Mongol capital on the Volga, lie fragments of a lost world: the city's libraries. While the Horde is remembered for horsemen and yurts, its capital was a literate, multilingual crossroads. In this episode, Lucas and Luna explore what was read in the steppe capital — from Persian histories and Islamic jurisprudence to Russian chronicles and Mongol legal codes. They trace the journey of books across the empire: how Ibn Battuta found a scholar reading al-Biruni…
Showing the latest 50 episodes. The full archive of 207 is on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and every major podcast app — or via the RSS feed above.