Rasputin: Myth & Manhood

Was Rasputin really Russia’s greatest love machine? Did he have any healing powers? And why might his penis be pickling in a jar?


In this episode, we are drawing this mystical man out of his cloud of green smoke to find out which of the things we know about him might actually be true.


Kate is joined by Douglas Smith, historian, translator and expert in Russian history, who has emerged from the archives with a new interpretation of this cartoon baddy.


*WARNING there are naughty words and discussions of sexual coercion in this episode*


Produced by Charlotte Long and Sophie Gee.


Betwixt the Sheets: The History of Sex, Scandal & Society. A podcast by History Hit.


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Episoder(407)

History's Worst F*ckboys: Raphael

History's Worst F*ckboys: Raphael

The Renaissance is known for its heady combination of sex, art and exciting new ideas about the world.Was Raphael, one of the superstar painters of the period, a Renaissance top shagger? Were sex work...

9 Sep 202534min

Alexander the Great's Mummy Issues: Olympias

Alexander the Great's Mummy Issues: Olympias

They say behind every great man is a great woman. In this episode, we meet the woman behind Alexander the Great's success. From securing his status, to influencing his succession, Olympias was a force...

5 Sep 20251h 1min

History's Worst F*ckboys: Charles II

History's Worst F*ckboys: Charles II

Our mini-series exploring the worst f*ckboys in history is back!In today's episode, Kate is joined by Dr. David Taylor of Oxford University to get to know the so-called Merry Monarch and the many wome...

2 Sep 202544min

Shag, Marry, Kill: Roman Emperor Edition

Shag, Marry, Kill: Roman Emperor Edition

Which would be better for a fling, which would you not touch with a barge pole, and which is marriage material? There's only one way to find out.This episode was edited by Tim Arstall and produced by ...

29 Aug 202535min

How Hot Was Henry VIII?

How Hot Was Henry VIII?

With SIX wives, Henry VIII must have had something going for him, right? Was he handsome? Charming? Intelligent? Just plain powerful?In this episode, Kate is joined by Professor Suzannah Lipscomb, hos...

22 Aug 202545min

The Real Virgin Mary

The Real Virgin Mary

Why has the idea of the Virgin Mary’s virginity been so important?What does this tell us about the relationship between Christianity and sex? And what else do we know about this woman?Joining Kate tod...

19 Aug 202542min

How Wild Were The Last Days Of Rome?

How Wild Were The Last Days Of Rome?

As Rome fell, was it really non-stop orgies and parties?That's become a popular connotation, and in today's episode Kate is joined by historian and friend of the show Emma Southon (https://www.emmasou...

15 Aug 202540min

The Strangest Tudor & Stuart Aphrodisiacs

The Strangest Tudor & Stuart Aphrodisiacs

Forget oysters, have you tried eating sparrows with a side of phallic vegetables to stir your lust?!Getting in the mood isn’t just a modern preoccupation, but the reasons behind it have definitely cha...

12 Aug 202538min

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