Ivan III, the Great (1440-1505), was grand prince of Moscow from 1462 to 1505. He is considered Russia’s first national leader.
Ivan was born on Jan. 22, 1440, in Moscow. He succeeded his father, Basil II. Before Ivan’s reign, Russia was a divided country whose princes were often at war with one another. Russia was also part of the Mongol Empire. Ivan united Russia under his rule. He ended Mongol control of Russia in 1480. Ivan achieved these goals by being a ruthless warrior, a clever diplomat, and a shrewd buyer of land. Also under his rule, the Russian frontier began to extend east into Siberia.
In 1472, Ivan married Sophia Paleologa, niece of the last Byzantine emperor, Constantine XI. Sophia brought scholars, painters, and architects to Moscow, where they helped create a majestic court. In 1497, Ivan issued Russia’s first law code. During his reign, he sided with the Russian Orthodox Church against critics who questioned church dogma and wealth. As a result, the church accepted greater control by the grand prince in return for his protection. Ivan died on Oct. 27, 1505.
