It is only since the reign of Peter the Great that Russia has begun to attract much attention among the enlightened nations of Europe. Voltaire's life of this most renowned of the Russian sovereigns, at its first publication, attracted much notice. Since then, many books have been written upon fragments of Russian history and individual reigns. From most of these the author has selected such events as have appeared to him most instructive and best adapted to give the reader a clear conception of the present condition and future prospects of this gigantic empire. The path she has trod, since her first emergence into civilization from the chaos of barbarism, can be very distinctly traced, and one can easily count the concentric accretions of her growth. This narrative reveals the mistakes which have overwhelmed her with woe, and the wisdom which has, at times, secured for Russia peace and prosperity. In writing these histories of the monarchies of Continental Europe, the author has no wish to conceal his abhorrence of aristocratic usurpation. Believing in the universal brotherhood of man, his sympathies are most cordially with the oppressed masses. If the people are weak and debased, the claim is only the more urgent upon the powerful and the wise to act the part of elder brothers, holding out the helping hand to those who have fallen. The author feels grateful for the reception which the first number of this series, the Empire of Austria, has received from the American public. He hopes that this volume will not prove less interesting or instructive. In the course of a few months it will be followed by the History of Italy. CONTENTS. CHAPTER I. PARENTAGE AND BIRTH OF RUSSIA. From 500 B.C. to A.D. 910. Primeval Russia.--Explorations of the Greeks.--Scythian Invasion.--Character of the Scythians.--Sarmatia.--Assaults Upon the Roman Empire.--Irruption of the Alains.--Conquests of Trajan.--The Gothic invasion,--The Huns--their Character and Aspect.--The Devastations of Attila.--The Avars.--Results of Comminglings of these Tribes.--Normans.--Birth of the Russian Empire--The Three Sovereigns Ruric, Sineous and Truvor.--Adventures of Ascolod and Dir.--Introduction of Christianity.--Usurpation of Oleg.--His Conquests.--Expedition Against Constantinople. CHAPTER II. GROWTH AND CONSOLIDATION OF RUSSIA. From 910 to 973. Expedition to Constantinople.--Treaty with the Emperor.--Last Days of Oleg.--His Death.--Igor Assumes the Scepter.--His Expedition to the Don.--Descent Upon Constantinople.--His Defeat.--Second Expedition.--Pusillanimity of the Greeks.--Death of Igor.--Regency of Olga.--Her Character.--Succession of Sviatoslaf.--His Impiety and Ambition.--Conquest of Bulgaria.--Division of the Empire.--Defeat, Ruin and Death of Sviatoslaf.--Civil War.--Death of Oleg.--Flight of Vladimir.--Supremacy of Yaropolk. CHAPTER III. REIGNS OF VLADIMIR, YAROSLAF, YSIASLAF AND VSEVOLOD. From 973 to 1092.