The conquests on the Danube were more permanent than those in the Mediterranean. Fifteen years later the grand vizier, Ali Cumurgi, flushed with an unexpected triumph over the Czar Peter on the Pruth in 1711, and trusting in the exhaustion of the Empire after the war of the Spanish Succession, determined to make a great effort to wipe out the disgrace of Carlowitz, and recover Hungary and the Morea. The Venetians had no longer a hero like Morosini to lead them. The Greek population in spite of the benefits they had received from Venetian administration were too faithless and too dispirited to offer serious opposition. One campaign proved sufficient for the work. In June 1715 Ali Cumurgi passed the isthmus of Corinth. In September he returned in triumph to Constantinople the conqueror of the Morea. But there his success stopped. On the Danube he met more than his match. In August 1716 the Turks were completely defeated by prince Eugene at Peterwardein in Hungary and the grand vizier himself was killed. In 1717 Belgrade again passed into the Emperor’s hands, and the road into the heart of the Ottoman empire was open. The Porte saw the necessity of peace. [Sidenote: =The peace of Passarovitz, 1718.=] By the treaty of Passarovitz signed in 1718 the Turks left Austria in possession of Temesvar and Belgrade but retained the Morea. More than a century was to elapse, and the proud republic of Venice pass herself into slavery, before Greece could win her freedom. CHAPTER XIII THE NORTHERN NATIONS FROM THE TREATY OF OLIVA TO THE PEACE OF UTRECHT 1660–1715 The rivalry between Sweden and Brandenburg--Monarchical revolution in Denmark--Weakness of the aristocracy in Sweden--Frederick William makes himself absolute in Prussia, Brandenburg, and Cleves--His policy of centralisation--War between Sweden and Brandenburg--Battle of Fehrbellin--Monarchical revolution in Sweden--The rise of Russia--The reign of Alexis--Regency of Sophia--War with the Turks--Peter the Great becomes absolute ruler--His character and policy--Coalition against Sweden--Career of Charles XII.--His invasion of Russia--Battle of Pultava--The campaign on the Pruth--Treaty of Nystädt--Supremacy of Russia--Reign of Frederick III. of Brandenburg--Frederick recognised as king of Prussia--Condition of the north in 1720. [Sidenote: =Rivalry between Sweden and Brandenburg.=]