The wood from the North, the corn from the fertile lands, and the food from the cattle region all poured into her lap, making her the commercial as well as the spiritual and political center.

Now there flowed to that favored city another enriching stream.

Following in the train of Ivan's Greek wife, were scholars, statesmen, diplomatists, artists.

A host of Greek emigrants fleeing from the Turks, took refuge in Moscow, bringing with them books, manuscripts, and priceless treasures rescued from the ruined Empire.

If this was a period of _Renaissance_ for Western Europe, was it not rather a _Naissance_ for Russia?
What must have been the Russian _people_ when her princes were still only barbarians?
If Ivan valued these things, it was because they had been worn by Byzantium, and to him they symbolized power.