Nevski, it must be remembered, was a direct descendant of Monomakh, and of George Dolgoruki, the founder of Moscow.

So the first Prince of Moscow was of this illustrious line, a line which has remained unbroken until the present time.
When Daniel commenced to reign over what was probably the most obscure and insignificant principality in all Russia, it was surrounded by old and powerful states, in perpetual struggle with each other.

The Lithuanian conquest was pressing in from the West and assuming large proportions; while embracing the whole agitated surface was the odious enslavement to the Mongols and their oft-recurring invasions to enforce their insolent demands.
The building of the Russian Empire was not a dainty task! It was not to be performed by delicate instruments and gentle hands.

It needed brutal measures and unpitying hearts.

Nor could brute force and cruelty do it alone; it required the subtler forces of mind--cold, calculating policies, patience, and craft of a subtle sort.