So the path to success was through the dust, and it was the wily Princes of Moscow that most patiently traveled that road with important results to Russia.
Novgorod, as we have said, had alone escaped from these degradations.
Her Prince Alexander was son of Yaroslaf, the Grand Prince who perished in the desert on his way home.

At the time of the invasion Alexander was leading an army against the Swedes and the Livonian Knights in defense of his Baltic provinces.

It was Latin Christianity _versus_ Greek, and by a great victory upon the banks of the Neva he earned undying fame and the surname of _Nevski_.

Alexander Nevski is remembered as the hero of the Neva and of the North; yet even he was finally compelled to grovel at the feet of the barbarians.

Novgorod alone had stood erect, had paid no tribute and offered no homage to the Khan.