Rasputin: Russia's Greatest Propaganda Machine?

Rasputin: Russia's Greatest Propaganda Machine?

Author: History Hit & Assassin's Creed January 12, 2026 Duration: 1:07:49

Grigori Rasputin is a household name, mostly thanks to the Boney M song. And such is Rasputin’s reputation that you can’t help but think of the "mad monk" when playing Assassin’s Creed Chronicles: Russia, even though he doesn’t appear in the game. 


Was he really Russia’s greatest love machine? Did he have supernatural abilities? Was he even an ordained priest? To help answer these questions and more, Matt Lewis is joined by Professor Leonid Trofimov from Bentley University. As well as being senior lecturer in history and an expert on Russian relations with the rest of the world, he is the co-author of Seven Myths of the Russian Revolution.


Echoes of History is a Ubisoft podcast, brought to you by History Hit. Watch these interviews and exclusive videos on our YouTube channel.


Hosted by: Matt Lewis

Edited by: Michael McDaid

Produced by: Robin McConnell

Senior Producer: Anne-Marie Luff

Production Manager: Beth Donaldson

Executive Producers: Etienne Bouvier, Julien Fabre, Steve Lanham, Jen Bennett


Music by Aaron Miller, Mark Rutherford


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Step into the past and discover how history is woven into the fabric of our most compelling stories. Echoes of History, presented by History Hit and Assassin’s Creed, explores the rich, authentic details that breathe life into the legendary game series. This isn't just a behind-the-scenes look; it's a journey to the source material itself. Each episode unpacks the real events, figures, and settings that inspired iconic game worlds. You'll hear about the political intrigue of Renaissance Florence, the vast trade networks of the ancient Silk Road, the brutal realities of piracy in the Caribbean, and the complex codes of honor in Feudal Japan. The podcast connects these historical dots with clarity and narrative flair, offering context that deepens appreciation for both the games and the eras they depict. It’s for anyone curious about where creative fiction meets documented fact, proving that the most thrilling adventures are often rooted in truth. Tune in to find the history hidden in plain sight.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 50

Echoes of History
Podcast Episodes
Herodotus [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 46:23
You’ve probably heard of Herodotus, and in Assassin’s Creed Odyssey you’ll have met the man himself. Variously called the Father of History and the Father of Lies, what do we know about the real Herodotus, and what do hi…
Alexander Graham Bell [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:09:42
Assassin’s Creed Syndicate transports us to the action-packed streets of London in 1868. Players set out on a quest to liberate the city from the grip of the criminal underworld. But they don’t do it alone. Supplying the…
Life in the Roman Army [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:13
Anno 117: Pax Romana is set in the year when the Roman Empire expanded to its greatest extent in all its history; and saw the death of Trajan, who is counted amongst the Five Good Emperors. Trajan was a general first and…
How Rome Built An Empire [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 47:01
In the new game Anno 117: Pax Romana, the Emperor has appointed you as governor, tasked with developing new provinces in the Empire.It’s tempting to think of the Roman Empire as, well, Roman. But by its very nature the E…
Trajan's Projects In The Provinces [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 45:16
In the new game Anno 117: Pax Romana, the Emperor has appointed you as governor, tasked with developing new provinces in the Empire. The game is set in a big year for Rome: it marked the moment the Roman Empire expanded…
What Is Pax Romana? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:58
In the new game Anno 117: Pax Romana, the Emperor has appointed you as governor, tasked with developing provinces in the Roman-based Latium region and Celtic-inspired Albion. The game is set in a big year for Rome: it ma…
The Medieval Holy Land In Assassin's Creed [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
Ubisoft Developer Interview with Raphael LacosteFor nearly two decades, the Assassin’s Creed video games have transported players to worlds of the past. From the hot sands of the medieval Middle East to the frozen Arctic…
Assassins and Templars in the Crusades [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:31
The heart of the Assassin’s Creed franchise is the deadly rivalry between the brotherhoods of Assassins and Templars. These were real groups in history, whose power and influence in their lifetimes matched the longevity…
Crusaders And Castles: The Siege Of Acre [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:04
The first Assassin's Creed game puts players in the thick of the Siege of Acre during the Third Crusade. We can climb its battlements and fight in the shadow of its mighty walls. In this episode, Dr Nicolas Morton from N…