How Did The Vikings Invade The Mongolian Empire

During the time when the Vikings were invading France and England, another group of Vikings, known as the Rus, traveled east to invade the territory north of the Mongolian Empire. Rurik, the leader of the Rus, settled in what is known today as Russia. Over the years, they became a powerful people. They thought that because they were so powerful, they should be able to invade Constantinople and takeover the Byzantine Empire. No matter how hard they tried, the Rus could not destroy the sturdy walls of the city of Constantinople. Finally, one of the wise Rus princes named Vladimir, decided that instead of fighting, he would provide six thousand of his best warriors as a peace offering to the emperor of the Byzantine empire. In return, the

emperor gave the Rus people special treatment when they came to Constantinople.

Ivan the Great, a descendant of Rurik, brought many of the cities throughout Russia together. When the Mongols tried to bully the Russians into paying tribute to them, Ivan stood firm and refused to pay. The Mongols threatened to attack, but Ivan did not relent. Finally, the Mongols backed off, and the Russians declared Ivan, a hero. Ivan spent many years during his reign uniting Russia. He made his capital city Moscow, and he ruled from a fortress inside the city called the Kremlin. Unfortunately for the Russians, Ivan’s grandson took the throne after he died. Instead of being called a “Great” ruler like his grandfather, Ivan received the name Ivan the Terrible because he treated his people with cruelty. He even killed his own son in a fit of rage. When Ivan the Great died, the Rurik dynasty in Russia ended.