d
duke probably had his eye on Constantinople, but deferred his claim to
some favorable opportunity. With Sophia came many Greek nobles,
artists, and learned men. Ivan, as may be judged from his gentle
nature, was a patron of art, and had no prejudice against foreigners.
Several Italians came to Moscow where their services were appreciated.

Ivan left Novgorod in peace during five years, when he thought it time
to familiarize the citizens with the fact that their republic was a
thing of the past. He needed a pretext; by a judicious use of money,
his agents raised a mob against the boyards, who, being assaulted,
invoked the strong arm of the law, in the person of Ivan. The grand
duke came to Novgorod in 1475, to hold court. He at once ordered (p. 100)
the arrest of the possadnik, Marfa's son, and a number of boyards who
believed in a republic, had them put in chains and carried to Moscow.
This was in violation of the charter, but Ivan had an elastic
conscience. Next he tempted a scribe to mention him as _Sovereign_
instead of "lord," in an official document; and when, in a last effort
to save the republic, Marfa's partisans killed a number of Ivan's
friends, it was evidently his duty to restore order.

Upon his return to Moscow, he announced that Novgorod was the enemy of
the Greek Church, and the ally of the Pope and of Lithuania. This so
alarmed the Metropolitan and the priests that they begged Ivan to make
war upon the wicked city. Many dukes and boyards, moved by loyalty for
the church, and perhaps scenting spoils, flocked to his camp. Marfa's
partisans in vain tried to arouse the citizens by the cry, "Let us die
for liberty and St. Sophia!" It fell on deaf ears; every one for
himself, was the general thought. Novgorod surrendered. Ivan
guaranteed,--for just so long as it should suit him,--the people's
lives and property, their ancient code of laws, and exemption from
Muscovite service; but the vetche and office of possadnik were
abolished, and with them died the republic. (1478.)

Having settled with Novgorod to his satisfaction, Ivan bethought
himself of establishing peace in his own household. Russian writers
state that his wife, Sophia, annoyed him by often repeating the
interesting inquiry, "How long am I to be the slave of the Tartars?"
The Khan of the Golden Horde had been dissolved since Tamerlane's raid;
several states had been formed from it, of which the principal (p. 101)
were Kazan, Sarai or Ast