NOVGOROD, an important t. of European Russia, capital of the government of the same name, is situated on the Volkhof, near where it issues from lake llmen, 122 in. s.s.e. of St. Petersburg. It is the cradle of Russian history. In 862 the Norman prince Rurik, of the tribe of Variago-Ross (whence the name Russia), was invited hither by the neighboring tribes, and from him begins the history of the country, and the line of its sovereigns. A monument, commemorative of this event, was erected here, with great pomp, in Sept.. 1862. In the 9th c. Oleg, the successor of Rurik, transported the capital to Kief ; but bestowed many privileges and liberties upon Novgorod. and from that time it began to prosper. The greatness of Novgorod provoked the jealousy of the princes of Moscow, and in 1471 the czar Ivan III. nearly destroyed the town, bereft it of its lib erties, and exiled the most influential citizens. During tire time of its prosperity, the
town was called Novgorod the, Great; and had 400,000 inhabitants, and extended its sway to the White sea, and the river Petchora. Its government was a sort of republic, the prince being less a sovereign than the chief commander of the troops. Its greatness was due to its vast foreign trade alone, and when Archangel was opened for English trading vessels, but especially after the foundation of St. Petersburg, its trade fell away, and the town rapidly declined. Of the existing ancient buildings, the most remarkable are the church of St. Sophia, founded in the 11th e., possessing a tine old library, as well as some remarkable paintings and tombs; and the Kreml, in the steeple of which hung the famous bell used to summon the citizens for the deliberation of state affairs. Pop. '67, 16,722.