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:For other cities named Novgorod see Novgorod (disambiguation).Novgorod (Но́вгород) is a city in North-Western Russia. Since 1998 the official name of the city is Velikiy Novgorod (Great Novgorod). It is the capital of Novgorod Oblast. The city lies along the Volkhov River just below its outflow from Lake Ilmen. Population: ca. 290,000.
It is not to be confused with Nizhny Novgorod, on Volga River.
1 History
The exact year of foundation is not known. The written record is ambiguous: one record mentions it as an existing city as of 854, another as of 859.
The Varangian name of the city Holmgard (Holmgård, Holmegaard) is mentioned in Norse Sagas as existing substantially earlier, but the historical fact cannot be separated from myth. Later in history Holmgard referred only to the stronghold inside the city (Riurikovo Gorodische).
In medieval times Novgorod was one of the greatest cities of Ruthenia. During the Kievan Rus period it was the second most important center in the nation and the center of the lucrative fur trade. After the sacking of Kiev and many of the other Russian cities by the MongolsThe Mongols are an ethnic group that originated in what is now Mongolia, Russia, and China, particularly Inner Mongolia. They currently number about 8. 5 million and speak the Mongol language. They form one of the 56 nationalities officially recognized by Novgorod's position was greatly enhanced and it became an independent city state of great power. It gained control of a vast swath of territory in Northern Russia and was a center of trade. The city was far less autocratic than the Ruthenian norm with the Prince elected by a council of nobles, also known of Novgorod vecheVeche ( Russian: ) is popular assembly in ancient Russian cities. Veche discussed war and peace matters, adopted laws, called for princes and expelled them. Veche was the highest legislature and judicial authority in Novgorod (until 1478) and Pskov (until, the ancient parliamentAlternative meanings: Parliamentary system, Parliament (band), Parliament (cigarette). A parliament is a legislative body, especially in those countries whose system of government is based on the Westminster system derived from that of the United Kingdom., the democraticA democracy is a form of government under which the power to alter the laws and structures of government lies with the voting citizenry (referred to as "the people", because in modern times it usually consists of all people over 18 years of age), and all assemblyAn assembly is in politics, any body meeting together to discuss matters, a parliament or a legislative assembly such as the French revolutionary Legislative Assembly, or a body more designed to mediate between otherwise independent bodies, such as the Un of representatives of all city parts or all free people in most important cases. The term "veche" is being revived in modern Novgorod.
The city's downfall came about, however, because of its inability to feed its large population which made it dependent on the Vladimir-SuzdalVladimir-Suzdal' Principality Vladimir-Suzdal Rus' , or Vladimir-Suzdal' Grand Duchy was one of major principalities within the Kievan Rus' and after its collapse. It occupied vast territory approximately bounded by Volga, Oka and Northern Dvina. Its capi area for grain. The main cities in this area, Moscow and Tver, used this dependence to control Novgorod. Eventually Ivan III annexed the city to Muscovy. It remained powerful, however, until being sacked and its inhabitants slaughtered by Ivan the Terrible.
