Russian History HIS207: The Heirs of Rurik

[The Kingmaker]

"The Haunted," eh? By what, Mongols? Memories of losing his eye? His wife's massive underbite?

Losing his eye like Odin could have been a wake-up call that the Rus' need to return to Norse paganism. A missed opportunity, I suppose.

And a Muslim Russia does lend itself to the idea of perpetual crusades into Russia's deadly winters, which might have been a stark contrast to the usual forays into the desert.

Oh, and speaking of his military losses, I'm obligated to share this gif:

 

[Nikolai]

"The Haunted," eh? By what, Mongols? Memories of losing his eye? His wife's massive underbite?

Possessed.

Losing his eye like Odin could have been a wake-up call that the Rus' need to return to Norse paganism. A missed opportunity, I suppose.

Never! Personally, I suspect it is a punishment for none of them so far having made the Hajj.

And a Muslim Russia does lend itself to the idea of perpetual crusades into Russia's deadly winters, which might have been a stark contrast to the usual forays into the desert.

True, and it will not be the last...

Oh, and speaking of his military losses, I'm obligated to share this gif:

 

[jak7139]

Things aren't looking good for the Russians. Let's hope the Mongols don't come knocking.

 

[Emissary of the Prophets]

His wife's massive underbite?

That's a very scary looking Mongol Empire; hopefully it follows historical precedent and crumbles with the death of Temujin. Though historical precedent in this upside down universe would suggest centuries of Russia being ruled by a...consults notes...Gnostic Golden Horde.

 

[Nikolai]

Things aren't looking good for the Russians. Let's hope the Mongols don't come knocking.

That would be telling!

That's a very scary looking Mongol Empire; hopefully it follows historical precedent and crumbles with the death of Temujin. Though historical precedent in this upside down universe would suggest centuries of Russia being ruled by a...consults notes...Gnostic Golden Horde.

First, it's about half the final size. Second, when it does blow up, the majority of its offsprings will have a surprising religion.

 

[Midnite Duke]

22yrs, dead at 61, not a true Rurikid, but at least possessed and lost army thrice and the forever crusade. Poor Genghis, largest realm but his death is only second biggest death of the year at least according to Pravda. Thank You

 

[Emissary of the Prophets]

Second, when it does blow up, the majority of its offsprings will have a surprising religion.

I'd expect nothing less.

 

[Historywhiz]

First, it's about half the final size. Second, when it does blow up, the majority of its offsprings will have a surprising religion.

Given that the great Mongol religious debate of 1254 had the Christian delegation (led by a Catholic priest) in the lead prior to all participants attending singing/chanting verses/getting spectacularly drunk, I’m going to predict the suprise religion as Catholicism.

Though maybe Khazarite Judaism would be more plausible.

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

I’m going to predict the suprise religion as Catholicism.

I think it could be Jainism.

 

[Nikolai]

22yrs, dead at 61, not a true Rurikid, but at least possessed and lost army thrice and the forever crusade. Poor Genghis, largest realm but his death is only second biggest death of the year at least according to Pravda. Thank You

Pravda? IRL?

I'd expect nothing less.

Given that the great Mongol religious debate of 1254 had the Christian delegation (led by a Catholic priest) in the lead prior to all participants attending singing/chanting verses/getting spectacularly drunk, I’m going to predict the suprise religion as Catholicism.

Though maybe Khazarite Judaism would be more plausible.

I think it could be Jainism.

You'll all see it soon.

 

[Cora Giantkiller]

Are we both cursed? I also had a play session recently that was twenty years of war and I lost my army like three times.

 

[Nikolai]

Are we both cursed? I also had a play session recently that was twenty years of war and I lost my army like three times.

Quite likely, Cora.

 

[Nikolai]

Malik al-Muazzam Radoslav (1221-1230)

• A reign totally filled with war from start to end. Kinda sad.
• Two years into his reign, it starts. Two wars at once, one for claim over the empire itself, one for dissolution of the empire. First ends in 1226, second in 1228.
• At this time, the Mongols are on the very doorstep of Russia, having obliterated Khazaria. An ally asked Radoslav to help in a war against the Mongols, but Radoslav refused! Kinda understandable, although thoroughly cowardly too, I guess.
• But Radoslav would not have to worry for long, cause in 1228, after only a couple of months of peace, another claimant for the empire rises, his cousin Daniil. And in 1230, Daniil wins the war, thus becoming the new Malik al-Muazzam. Radoslav would only live for two more years after that.

 

[Emissary of the Prophets]

But Radoslav would not have to worry for long, cause in 1228, after only a couple of months of peace, another claimant for the empire rises, his cousin Daniil. And in 1230, Daniil wins the war, thus becoming the new Malik al-Muazzam. Radoslav would only live for two more years after that.

As we all know, the best time to fight over who is in charge is when an implacable enemy is at your doorstep!

 

[Cora Giantkiller]

The Mongols are at the doorstep of Russia! Cannot wait to see what happens next.

 

[Nikolai]

As we all know, the best time to fight over who is in charge is when an implacable enemy is at your doorstep!

If not then, when?

The Mongols are at the doorstep of Russia! Cannot wait to see what happens next.

What comes next will surprise you! (perhaps not?)

 

[Midnite Duke]

An almost perfect Rurikid. If only Norse Germanic. Ruled nine years, dead at twenty-two, lost top title. The Mongols are BIG and SCARY! Thanks

 

[StrategyGameEnthusiast]

the Mongols are on the very doorstep of Russia, having obliterated Khazaria. An ally asked Radoslav to help in a war against the Mongols, but Radoslav refused! Kinda understandable, although thoroughly cowardly too, I guess.

But Radoslav would not have to worry for long, cause in 1228, after only a couple of months of peace, another claimant for the empire rises, his cousin Daniil. And in 1230, Daniil wins the war, thus becoming the new Malik al-Muazzam.

Radoslav wasn't a coward, he knew that if he fought the Mongols it would only hasten his demise as the ruler of the empire.

 

[Bullfilter]

A big catch up, but I wanted to pick out a few highlights from recent episodes.

In 1190 a Rurikid declares war for the Russian throne, and this time the pretender wins. In 1193 Sviatopolk has to relinquish his Russian throne, marry the daughter of his opponent – matrilineally – and retreat to his holdings in Khazaria.

Ourah! Even if it is doomed, it’s good to have the old whipping boys back carrying the whip again! Even if it’s for a bit of the old Rurikid self-flagellation.

Captures the Gardariki ruler in the ongoing siege a few days after his father dies, thus almost doubling Russia in size!

Well that’s something. For however long the candle of revival may flicker for.

In the end, only the Forever Crusade, as it was called, remained and it would last almost 20 years, before the Catholics wins in 1220.

Ouch.

Meanwhile, the Mongols have been conquering almost unnoticed by both the Catholics and Russia in the east, as the Forever Crusade is taking all their attention.

And then salt into the wound.

But Radoslav would not have to worry for long, cause in 1228, after only a couple of months of peace, another claimant for the empire rises, his cousin Daniil. And in 1230, Daniil wins the war, thus becoming the new Malik al-Muazzam. Radoslav would only live for two more years after that.

Here’s betting Daniil’s new shoes are going to be walking a difficult path, very soon.

 

[The Kingmaker]

Somehow I doubt your new ruler will be an improvement. Each subsequent monarch seems to spiral a little bit more into their dynasty’s perpetual curse.