Neagoe Basarab
Encyclopedia
Neagoe Basarab (ˈne̯aɡo.e basaˈrab) was the Voivode (Prince) of Wallachia
between 1512 and 1521. Born into the boyar
family of the Craioveşti
(his reign marks the climax of the family's political influence) as the son of Pârvu Craiovescu or Basarab Ţepeluş cel Tânăr
, Neagoe Basarab, who replaced Vlad cel Tânăr after the latter rejected Craioveşti tutelage, was noted for his abilities and competence.
was independent, but was required to pay an exorbitant tribute
to the greater force of the Ottoman Empire
. Neagoe encouraged the development of crafts and trade, while maintaining a good relation with Wallachia's other powerful neighbour, Hungary
.
His diplomacy
attempted to establish connections with the Republic of Venice
and the Papacy, even offering to mediate
the dispute between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, with the purpose of uniting Christendom
against the Ottoman threat.
He adopted the Byzantine
tradition of Church patronage
, making generous donations to the Orthodox monasteries, not only in Wallachia but throughout the Balkans
. During his reign the Curtea de Argeş Monastery was built (in 1517) - legend
names Meşterul Manole
as the chief craftsman; the account also fuses Neagoe with yet another legendary figure, Prince Radu (who would've caused Manole's death by ordering for the scaffolding
to be removed while the builders were on the roof, ensuring that nobody would use Manole's craft, and thus preserving the uniqueness of the structure).
Neagoe ordered the earliest works on the old Metropolitan
church in Târgovişte
(the city where the edition of the Gospel
s was published in 1512) and St. Nicholas Church
in Şcheii Braşovului.
Neagoe Basarab wrote in Church Slavonic one of the earliest literary works of Wallachia, called "The teachings of Neagoe Basarab to his son Theodosie" (translated in Romanian as Învăţăturile lui Neagoe Basarab către fiul său Teodosie), where he touches various subjects such as philosophy
, diplomacy, morals and ethics
.
Wallachia
Wallachia or Walachia is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians...
between 1512 and 1521. Born into the boyar
Boyar
A boyar, or bolyar , was a member of the highest rank of the feudal Moscovian, Kievan Rus'ian, Bulgarian, Wallachian, and Moldavian aristocracies, second only to the ruling princes , from the 10th century through the 17th century....
family of the Craioveşti
Craiovesti
The Craiovești , later Brâncovenești , were a boyar family in Wallachia who gave the country several of its Princes and held the title of Ban of Oltenia for ca...
(his reign marks the climax of the family's political influence) as the son of Pârvu Craiovescu or Basarab Ţepeluş cel Tânăr
Basarab Tepelus cel Tânar
Basarab IV cel Tânăr , also known as Ţepeluş , son of Basarab II, was domnitor of the principality of Wallachia, between the years 1477–1481, and again from 1481 to 1482...
, Neagoe Basarab, who replaced Vlad cel Tânăr after the latter rejected Craioveşti tutelage, was noted for his abilities and competence.
Reign
In the 16th century, WallachiaWallachia
Wallachia or Walachia is a historical and geographical region of Romania. It is situated north of the Danube and south of the Southern Carpathians...
was independent, but was required to pay an exorbitant tribute
Tribute
A tribute is wealth, often in kind, that one party gives to another as a sign of respect or, as was often the case in historical contexts, of submission or allegiance. Various ancient states, which could be called suzerains, exacted tribute from areas they had conquered or threatened to conquer...
to the greater force of the Ottoman Empire
Ottoman Empire
The Ottoman EmpireIt was usually referred to as the "Ottoman Empire", the "Turkish Empire", the "Ottoman Caliphate" or more commonly "Turkey" by its contemporaries...
. Neagoe encouraged the development of crafts and trade, while maintaining a good relation with Wallachia's other powerful neighbour, Hungary
Kingdom of Hungary
The Kingdom of Hungary comprised present-day Hungary, Slovakia and Croatia , Transylvania , Carpatho Ruthenia , Vojvodina , Burgenland , and other smaller territories surrounding present-day Hungary's borders...
.
His diplomacy
Diplomacy
Diplomacy is the art and practice of conducting negotiations between representatives of groups or states...
attempted to establish connections with the Republic of Venice
Republic of Venice
The Republic of Venice or Venetian Republic was a state originating from the city of Venice in Northeastern Italy. It existed for over a millennium, from the late 7th century until 1797. It was formally known as the Most Serene Republic of Venice and is often referred to as La Serenissima, in...
and the Papacy, even offering to mediate
Mediation
Mediation, as used in law, is a form of alternative dispute resolution , a way of resolving disputes between two or more parties. A third party, the mediator, assists the parties to negotiate their own settlement...
the dispute between Eastern Orthodoxy and Roman Catholicism, with the purpose of uniting Christendom
Christendom
Christendom, or the Christian world, has several meanings. In a cultural sense it refers to the worldwide community of Christians, adherents of Christianity...
against the Ottoman threat.
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
tradition of Church patronage
Patronage
Patronage is the support, encouragement, privilege, or financial aid that an organization or individual bestows to another. In the history of art, arts patronage refers to the support that kings or popes have provided to musicians, painters, and sculptors...
, making generous donations to the Orthodox monasteries, not only in Wallachia but throughout the Balkans
Balkans
The Balkans is a geopolitical and cultural region of southeastern Europe...
. During his reign the Curtea de Argeş Monastery was built (in 1517) - legend
Legend
A legend is a narrative of human actions that are perceived both by teller and listeners to take place within human history and to possess certain qualities that give the tale verisimilitude...
names Meşterul Manole
Mesterul Manole
In Romanian mythology, Meșterul Manole was the chief architect of the Curtea de Argeș Monastery in Wallachia...
as the chief craftsman; the account also fuses Neagoe with yet another legendary figure, Prince Radu (who would've caused Manole's death by ordering for the scaffolding
Scaffolding
Scaffolding is a temporary structure used to support people and material in the construction or repair of buildings and other large structures. It is usually a modular system of metal pipes or tubes, although it can be from other materials...
to be removed while the builders were on the roof, ensuring that nobody would use Manole's craft, and thus preserving the uniqueness of the structure).
Neagoe ordered the earliest works on the old Metropolitan
Metropolitan bishop
In Christian churches with episcopal polity, the rank of metropolitan bishop, or simply metropolitan, pertains to the diocesan bishop or archbishop of a metropolis; that is, the chief city of a historical Roman province, ecclesiastical province, or regional capital.Before the establishment of...
church in Târgovişte
Târgoviste
Târgoviște is a city in the Dâmbovița county of Romania. It is situated on the right bank of the Ialomiţa River. , it had an estimated population of 89,000. One village, Priseaca, is administered by the city.-Name:...
(the city where the edition of the Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
s was published in 1512) and St. Nicholas Church
St. Nicholas Church, Brasov
Saint Nicholas Church is a Romanian Orthodox church in Braşov, dominating the historic district of Şchei.The church was established in 1292. It was mentioned in a Papal bull issued in 1399 by Pope Boniface IX. Starting in 1495, the church was rebuilt in stone by the locals, with help from Vlad...
in Şcheii Braşovului.
Neagoe Basarab wrote in Church Slavonic one of the earliest literary works of Wallachia, called "The teachings of Neagoe Basarab to his son Theodosie" (translated in Romanian as Învăţăturile lui Neagoe Basarab către fiul său Teodosie), where he touches various subjects such as philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
, diplomacy, morals and ethics
Ethics
Ethics, also known as moral philosophy, is a branch of philosophy that addresses questions about morality—that is, concepts such as good and evil, right and wrong, virtue and vice, justice and crime, etc.Major branches of ethics include:...
.