What if everything you know about one of history's most powerful women is a complete lie? The story about Catherine the Great and the horse isn't just wrong - it's 300 years of deliberate propaganda designed to destroy her legacy. Michael Stevens uncovers how French revolutionaries created the most persistent myth in royal history, and why we're still falling for their lies today. 🎯 What You'll Learn: • How a German princess named Sophie became Russia's most successful ruler and conquered territory the size of Texas • The specific propaganda campaign that French revolutionaries used to discredit monarchy after Catherine's death • Why Catherine corresponded with Voltaire and Diderit while simultaneously expanding the brutal serfdom system • The real scandals in Catherine's life that actually happened (spoiler: they're way more interesting than the fake ones) 👤 Perfect for: anyone who's tired of believing historical "facts" that turn out to be complete fiction, and wants to know what really happened behind the palace walls. 📍 Chapters: [00:00] The horse myth that won't die [02:15] Sophie from Prussia becomes Catherine of Russia [04:30] How she seized power from her own husband [06:45] The real Catherine: Enlightenment philosopher or brutal dictator? [08:20] French revolutionaries invent the perfect lie [10:00] Why we still believe 300-year-old propaganda This isn't just about debunking myths. It's about understanding how false stories get created, spread, and become "historical fact" - and recognizing when it's happening right now. Catherine's story shows how easily the truth gets buried under centuries of lies designed to serve someone else's agenda. 🔔 Never miss an episode: Follow When Rome Burns on Apple Podcasts and turn on notifications. New episodes drop daily, and your next favorite historical revelation is just one tap away. 🔍 Topics: Catherine the Great, Russian history, historical propaganda, French Revolution, royal scandals

Stream the full show at When Rome Burns

------ Keywords: australian history, operation citadel, d-day, gold standard, military history, paper money

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