Principality_of_Moldavia_.281359.E2.80.931812.29 Controversy_over_ethnic_and_linguistic_identity_in_Moldova

1 principality of moldavia (1359–1812)

1.1 moldavian identity in medieval chronicles
1.2 selected foreign travelers moldavians
1.3 works in local language of moldavia
1.4 diplomats opinion

principality of moldavia (1359–1812)


hronicul vechimei romano-moldo-vlahilor (chronicle of durability of romano-moldo-wallachians). written moldavian prince dimitrie cantemir.



carte românească de Învățătură (romanian book of learning). written metropolitan of moldavia, varlaam moțoc.


moldavian identity in medieval chronicles

the chronicles of medieval moldavia attested names used inhabitants of moldavia refer common language , origin of moldavians, wallachians , transylvanians. first important chronicler of moldavia, grigore ureche (1590–1647), states romanians of hungarian kingdom , moldavians have same origin, since both come rome . same author refers language of work our moldavian language . later, chronicler miron costin (1633–1691) wrote in on moldavian nation oldest , more righteous name of people inhabiting moldavia, wallachia , transylvania rumân (romanian), roman , , name kept emperor trajan s colonizations till day, albeit more commonly among wallachians , transylvanians. mentioned that, while people of moldavia identify moldavian , call language romanian . son, chronicler nicolae costin (1660–1712), expressed similar opinions.the wallachian chronicler constantin cantacuzino (1655–1716) explains romanians means romanians wallachia, transylvania, , moldavia, speak same language , have common origin. nevertheless states that, unlike wallachians , transylvanians, identify romanians , population of moldavia identifies moldavian . dimitrie cantemir (1673–1723), prince of moldavia , member of royal academy of berlin, wrote history book called hronicul vechimei romano-moldo-vlahilor (chronicle of ancientness of romanian-moldavian-vlachs). in introductory part, calls chronicle of entire romanian land (hronicon toată Țara românească) later divided moldavia, wallachia , transylvania (care apoi s-au împărțit în moldova, muntenească și ardealul) , mentions book first written in latin , translated romanian (pre limba românească). while attesting people of moldavia call moldavians , states romanian used when referring commonly transylvanians, moldavians , wallachians(carii cu toții cu un nume de obște români să chiamă).

selected foreign travelers moldavians

several foreign travelers through moldavia since 16th century noted locals called romanians , language romanian . mention awareness of common roman origin among inhabitants of moldavia , neighbouring wallachia , transylvania . georg reicherstorffer (1495–1554), transylvanian saxon, emissary of ferdinand of habsburg in wallachia , moldavia. reicherstorffer had traveled in 1527 , 1535 in principality of moldavia , wrote travel memoirs – moldaviae quae olim daciae pars, chorographia (1541) , chorographia transylvaniae(1550). describing geography of moldavia finds besides name called wallachia , speaking moldavian people says roman [italian] language still endures in nation...so wallachians [from moldavia] italian nation, claim, old romans . chronicler , mercenary verona, alessandro guagnini (1538–1614), traveled twice in moldavia , helped despot vodă (ioan iacob heraclid) gain throne in 1563. in biography of prince, vita despothi principis moldaviae , described people of moldavia: nation of wallachians refer romana , originate exiled romans of italy. language mixture of latin , italian languages, italian can understand wallachian . after visit moldavia anonymous traveler, italian jesuit, wrote in 1587 description of people , found these people [moldavians] belong greek faith, take kindly roman, maybe because of corrupted language latin, or belief have descent romans, call romans . also, according these sources, slav neighbours called moldovans vlachs or volokhs , term equally used refer romance speakers wallachia, transylvania, , balkan peninsula. nicolaus olahus (1493–1568), proeminent humanist, writes in hungaria et attila moldavians have same language, rituals , religion wallachians , way distinguish them clothes. mentions language of moldavians , other vlach peoples once roman (latin), colonies of roman empire.

thomas thornton (1762–1814) wrote book in 1807 numerous travels inside ottoman empire , says wallachian , moldavian peasants call rumun, or roman , distinguish boyars (local nobles), , language corrupt latin.

early works in local language of moldavia

similarly, in 1643, moldavian prince vasile lupu sponsored book of homilies translated metropolitan varlaam of moldavia slavonic romanian (pre limba romeniască) , titled carte românească de Învățătură (romanian book of learning) . foreword prince lupu says addressed entire romanian nation everywhere (la toată semenția românească de pretutindeni). book, known cazania of varlaam (varlaam s homiliary), first printed in moldavia , large numbers of copies spread in neighboring provinces inhabited romanian speakers. furthermore, reaction translation in transylvania of calvinist catechism romanian, metropolitan varlaam wrote in 1645 response calvinist catechism (răspuns la catehismul calvinesc) addressed beloved christians , 1 romanian nation transylvania vasile lupu sponsored printing in 1646 of first code of laws in moldavia titled romanian book of learning (carte românească de învățătură de la pravilele împărătești și de la alte giudețe). book inspired byzantine tradition , in 1652 virtually identical code of laws appeared in wallachia, sponsored prince matei basarab.

moldavian metropolitan dosoftei printed dumnezaiasca liturghie (divine liturgy) in romanian (tiparita româneste). in foreword romanian nation (cuvânt depreuna catra semintia rumaneasca), dosoftei calls book gift romanian language (acest dar limbii rumânesti) translated greek (de pre elineasca) romanian (pre limba rumâneasca).

later, after annexation of bessarabia russian empire, religious books written in region commonly called language moldavian . menologium printed in chișinău in 1819 states translated slavonic moldavian (тълмъчиндуль де пре лимба Словенѣскъ пре чѣ Молдовенѣскъ), typicon 1821 (Сау тълмъчить Молдовенеще де пре чель Словенескь).

diplomats opinion

joseph ii, ruler of austrian empire , catherine ii, empress of russia between 1762–1796, willing unite moldavia , wallachia, under ottoman sovereignty, in order create independent buffer state between russia , austria. proposed independent state, named dacia, have contained moldavia, bessarabia , wallachia, catherine wished under russian influence presented in so-called greek project . during british parliament debates of 1793, mr. whitebread, speaking initiative of france erect independent belgium austro-hungaria, mentions edmund burke s initiative form independent state ottoman empire, named circle of danube comprising wallachia, moldavia , bessarabia.

also, memoirs of sir james porter (1720–1786), british diplomat, ambassador sublime porte in istanbul 1747 1762, mentions that, inside ottoman empire, next in number slavonians rumelians or romani, whom moldavians , wallachians belong, call rumuryi.