564. The Great Northern War: The Battle of the Baltic (Part 1)
May 11, 2025
Description
How did the Great Northern War, which saw Sweden pitted against Peter the Great’s Russia and her allies, and would transform Europe forever, begin? Who was Charles XII, Sweden’s King, and a worthy...
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Books Referenced
The Vanity of Human Wishes
Author: Samuel Johnson
Context:
Tom Holland opens the episode by reading a passage from this poem, published in 1749, which describes Swedish Charles XII as a classical hero figure.
Peter the Great: His Life and World
Author: Robert K. Massie
Context:
Referred to as Peter's great biographer, Massie is quoted as saying that while Narva was Charles's first great victory, it was also the first step towards his doom.