time Moscow was mentioned by the chroniclers in 1147.
At that time Russian lands began to unite round Moscow, which led to the establishment of a strong centralised state.During its long history Moscow was exposed to several invasions. In 1237 it fell under the power of the Golden Horde. Moscow began to rise in the 14-th century. Under Ivan III the Great, in the mid-fifteenth century, Moscow became the principal city of the state of Muscovy During the Time of Troubles Moscow was occupied by the Polish invaders but they were defeated by the popular levy headed by Minin and Po-
zharsky.