TARTAR INVASION OF GEORGIA. 133 Kiptchacs, an immense plain, extending along the north of the Black Sea, the Caucasus, and the Caspian Sea, from the mouths of the Danube to those of the Jaik. On the news of the unexpected invasion of the Mongols, the occupants withdrew towards the extremity of their territory, but the Mongols pursued them, routed them in various encounters, and finally penetrated into Rus- sia, where they met with no resistance. At the approach of these barbarians, the inhabitants of Novogorod, being quite unable to resist, went out to meet them, bearing crosses, and imploring their mercy. The Tartars slaughtered them all, to the number of ten thousand ; they then carried fire and sword over the whole of Southern Russia, and the banks of the Dnieper, and then proceeded to ravage the country round the Sea of Azoflf, entered the Crimea, and took the opulent city of Soudac, belonging to the Genoese, who paid a tribute for it to the Turkish Kiptchacs ; it was at this epoch a com- mercial depot, between the countries north and south of the Black Sea.* Georgia was at that period the most powerful country of the East, which had remained subject to Christian princes. It formed in some measure the advanced post of Christianity against the formidable armies, which descended like avalanches from the lofty plateau of Central Asia, and its throne was at this time oc- cupied by a Queen Rhouzoudan, while the Constable John commanded the military force of her kingdom. She was the first to utter a cry of alarm, and warn Christendom of the danger that threatened it. She sent an ambassador to Iionorius the Third, to draw his
- Michel Scherbatoff, "Hist, of Russia," vol. ii. pp. 509—521.
k 3
