Then, Ivan purchased, negotiated for, or conquered multiple appendages, thus expanding Muscovite power even more. Ivan later declared himself sovereign over all Russians and then married the niece of the last Byzantine emperor, thus giving him even more legitimacy. And he took the titles autocrat and czar, which means Caesar. Basically, Ivan created the first centralized Russian state, and for doing that, he probably deserves the title the Great. And that would be a great place to stop, except then we wouldn't see the kind of absolute rule that characterized Russia for most of the rest of its history, even unto Putin. Oh, I'm just kidding, Putin! You would never rig an election!