Matei Basarab

Matei Basarab
Matei Basarab

Matei Basarab (Romanian pronunciation: [maˈtej basaˈrab]; 1588, Brâncoveni, Olt – April 9, 1654, Bucharest) was a Wallachian Voivode (Prince) between 1632 and 1654.

Reign

Much of Matei's reign was spent fighting off incursions from Moldavia, which he successfully accomplished in 1637, 1639, and 1653 - see Battle of Finta. He was an enlightened ruler, and is noted for introducing the printing press to Wallachia (1634) and creating the first Wallachian code of laws as well as patronizing art and religion (founder of the first upper school in his Principality). He built more than 45 churches and monasteries, being compared to Stephen the Great, the famous ruler of Moldavia.

His election in 1632 signified the first official exception to a rule set by custom. Basarab was merely a boyar (of the Craioveşti family) and one not related to previous Princes (although it seems that a similar point can be made about such rulers as Michael the Brave). The reason for this choice has been explained as a reaction of indigenous boyars against competition from newly infiltrated Greeks and Levantines. It may also be because of these special circumstances that Matei used the surname "Basarab" - associated as it is with a fabricated legitimate lineage.

Matei Basarab with his son (left) and his wife (right)

Matei Basarab's rule also coincides with the last stage in the decay of the lesser nobility, the result of political pressure from boyars and drastic economical changes (the revolt of the seimeni military under Constantin Şerban probably has this as its main cause).

It seems that the Prince was planning emancipation from Ottoman rule, as well as domination over Moldavia. He maintained a close relationship with the Transylvanian ruler George II Rákóczi, an ambitious, stronger, and more autonomous subject of the Turks.

Laws and reforms

Matei Basarab and his contemporary, the Moldavian Prince Vasile Lupu are credited with introducing the first written laws of the two Principalities. However, these two virtually identical sets of laws do not go against tradition, being merely the Romanian translation of Byzantine customs (pravile), alluded to in documents of the previous decades. The two collections under Matei Basarab are Pravila de la Govora ("The Govora Code") in 1640 and Pravila lui Matei Basarab ("Matei Basarab's Code"; also known as Îndreptarea Legii - "The Re-shaping of Laws") in 1652.

Preceded by
Radu Iliaş
Prince of Wallachia
1632–1654
Succeeded by
Constantin Şerban

References


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать курсовую

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Matei Basarab — Matei Basarab. Matei Basarab (1588, Brâncoveni, Olt 9 de abril de 1654, Bucarest) fue príncipe de Valaquia entre 1632 y 1654. Reinado Durante la mayoría de su reinado, Matei estuvo ocupado con defenderse de las incursiones …   Wikipedia Español

  • Matei Basarab — mit seinem Sohn (links) und seiner Frau (rechts) Matei Basarab (* zwischen 1579 und 1588[1]; † 19. April 1654) war Fürst der Walachei zwischen 1632 und 1654. Leben Im Jahre 1631 versuchte Matei Basarab erstm …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Matei Basarab — Matthieu Basarab Matthieu Basarab Prince …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Matei Basarab — Matẹi Basarạb,   Fürst der Walachei, Basarab …   Universal-Lexikon

  • Matei — is a Romanian name. Contents 1 As a given name 2 As a surname 3 Other uses 4 See also As a given name …   Wikipedia

  • Matei — ist der Familienname folgender Personen: Adrian Matei (Fußballspieler) (* 1968), rumänischer Fußballspieler und trainer Adrian Matei (Eiskunstläufer) (* 1985), rumänischer Eiskunstläufer Anișoara Matei (* 1951), rumänische Sportschützin Cosmin… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Basarab — ist der Name folgender Fürsten der Walachei: Basarab I. Mircea II. Basarab (* 1422; † 1446) Basarab II. († ca. 1458) Basarab Laiotă cel Bătrân Basarab Țepeluș cel Tânăr Neagoe Basarab (* 1481; † 1521) Matei Basarab (* zwischen 1579 und 1588; †… …   Deutsch Wikipedia

  • Matei Ier Basarab — Matthieu Basarab Matthieu Basarab Prince …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Basarab — Cette page d’homonymie répertorie les différents sujets et articles partageant un même nom. Basarab est un nom roumain porté par plusieurs princes de Valachie et qui est à l origine de celui de la province Bessarabie. Princes de Valachie Basarab… …   Wikipédia en Français

  • Basarab — Basarạb,   walachisches Fürstenhaus, das mit verschiedenen Linien bis ins 16. Jahrhundert in der Walachei herrschte:   Basarab (Alexandru) I. (✝ Câmpulung 1352) begründete um 1310 das Fürstentum Walachei, dehnte dessen Ostgrenzen durch Siege… …   Universal-Lexikon

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”