JP Bristow Podcasts

In this episode, we look at the origin of the Slavs, something we know remarkably little about. What do linguistic reconstructions, archeology and the written sources tell us? Read the episode blogpost at https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-116-the-mysterious-slavs

This episode introduces the Finno-Ugrians, the original inhabitants of the forests of Northeastern Europe, whose descendants continue to maintain a distinct culture in modern Russia. Read the blog post here: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-115-the-finno-ugrians

In this episode, we look at the origins of the Bulgars, claimed as ancestors by several peoples of the Russian Empire from the Volga Bulgars to the Gagauz in modern day Moldova, and also, through Bulgaria, the source of the Cyrillic alphabet. Read the episode blog post at: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-114-bulgars-of-the-w…

In this special episode, the podcast is joined by Oleksa Drachewych to discuss Putin’s claims regarding Ukrainian statehood and nationhood. Episode blog post: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/special-episode-3-putins-ukrainian-delusions-with-oleksa-drachewych

Dr. Robert N. Spengler is an archeobotanist specialising in the domestication of plants and how they were spread across Eurasia. He joins me today to discuss the role of the steppe in spreading many of the important foods, from grains to fruit and spices, that we all enjoy today. You can learn much more about this subject in his award winning book …

Iranic dominance of the steppe is ending, a new force has arrived. In this episode we take a brief look at the origins of the Turkic peoples and the first Türk Qaganate ahead of a series of episodes on the Turkic migrations into the Western steppe that would lead to the Khazars and Volga Bulgaria. Read the show blog post here: https://therussianemp…

In this episode, we look at the impact of the Scythians in their time and in later Russian history. Read the show blog post here: https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/the-scythian-legacy

This episode rounds out our look at the Scythians with the Sarmatians, who displaced the Royal Scythians as the rulers of the Western steppe, and the Saka, the Scythians who stayed in the East. Check out the episode blogpost at https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-111-sarmatians-and-saka…

In this episode we return to the narrative with a look at the Scythian migration from Central Asia into the southern Russian and Ukrainian steppe, and the first empire created by a steppe people. Episode blog post https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-110-the-first-steppe-empire

In this episode we look at how a Bronze Age initiation ritual evolved into a cornerstone of steppe culture that drove the expansion and migration of nomadic peoples for centuries.

This year is the 200th anniversary of the return to Russia of the Bellinghausen Expedition, which discovered the Antarctic continent and was the first Russian visit to New Zealand. In this episode, we discuss the expedition and its significance with special guest Sergey Permitin. Pictures by expedition artist Pavel Mikhailov in the collection of th…

Horsebreeding, lifestyle, and innovations in weaponry came together to make steppe warriors an almost unstoppable force. In this episode, we look at weapons and equipment of the mounted archers of the steppe and what made them different from their sedentary neighbours. Intro from The History of Saqartvelo Georgia podcast - find them on all good pod…

Ancient Greek historian Herodotus wrote about the Scythians at length, but his writings have always been controversial. What did the Father of History have to say about the steppe warriors, and how reliable is it? You can support this show by donating via PayPal to hello@therussianempirehistorypodcast.com.…

In this last part of our look at archeological discoveries in steppe kurgans, we look at how finds from Ukraine to Mongolia were put together to rediscover the Scythians. You can support this show by donating via PayPal to hello@therussianempirehistorypodcast.com.

This episode looks at the Greek colonies of the northern Black Sea coast, the Bosporan Kingdom, breadbasket of the Ancient Greek world and an important interface between the steppe and sedentary civilisations.

4000 years ago, another kurgan building culture developed - the ancestors of all the Iranic peoples appeared in the Southern Urals with a trade network from the Black Sea to the Pacific and innovations that would have an impact from China to Egypt.

5000 years ago, nomadic steppe lifestyles began with the Yamnaya people, likely speakers of Proto-Indo-European, who left kurgan graves across the steppe, and whose descendants spread across half the world. Check out the REHP blog for a map of the Yamnaya homeland https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/episode-103-early-kurgans-and-the-yam…

Beginning a look at the Bronze Age steppe and the origins of steppe cultures. What was Proto-Indo-European and why is it associated with the steppe?

This episode introduces the geographical setting of Season 1, the East European Plain and the Great Steppe, its geography, climate, resources, and where some of the peoples that will play a key role in our story emerge. Check out the episode blog post for maps https://therussianempirehistorypodcast.com/blog/the-plain-and-the-steppe…

This episode is a brief introduction to this podcast, its themes and plans.