In the treacherous world of Russian succession, one figure rose from obscurity through martial skill and political cunning to seize the throne itself. The archer’s ascent was as improbable as it was ruthless, upending the established order and reshaping the future of the Russian state.

This episode traces an extraordinary rise to power through the violent politics of medieval Russia, where the ability to fight was only the beginning of what it took to rule.

• He rose from relative obscurity to claim the Russian throne through a combination of military skill and political alliances
• His seizure of power upended the existing dynastic order and set a new precedent for succession
• He consolidated control through a mix of strategic marriages, military campaigns, and ruthless elimination of rivals
• His reign reshaped the political landscape of Russia for generations to come