Mihai Viteazul (English Michael the Brave) was born in 1558 in Dragoesti, Valcea, Romania. He is seen as a national hero because he had unified for the first time in history the three Romanian principalities. He was Ban of Craiova and Mehedinti.

Biography and Career :

According to historians, he was the illegitimate son of Wallachian Prince Patrascu cel Bun.

In 1588, he was named Ban of Mehedinti and, five years later, in 1593, Ban of Craiova. These had happened during the rule of Alexandru cel Rau.

In the same year when he became Ban of Craiova he also became Prince of Wallachia with the help of the Ottoman Empire.

He was member of the "Saint League" which included the Papal State, Spain, Austria, Ferrara, Mantova and Toscana. They fought against Turks. Later Transyl vania would do the same thing.

In 1594, he conquered the citadels near the Danube, including Giurgiu, Braila, Harsova, and Silistra. Next year he signed a treaty with Sigismund Bathory of Transylvania and Aron Voda of Moldavia in which was specified that Walachia came under the sovereignty of Transylvania.

On August 13, 1595 at Calugareni, he defeated the army of Sinan Pasha and with the help of Sigismund Bathory conquered Targoviste, Bucuresti and Braila and for a period of time Walachia didn't belong to Ottomans.

In 1598, Cardinal Andrew Bathory was ruling in Transylvania and the principal was under the command of King of Poland, Sigismund III Vasa. In the Battle of Selimbar, he defeated Andrew and was now controlling Transylvania. He also defeated Ieremia Movila in Bacau and gained Moldavia. This is the time when for the first time the three principalities were unified.

In 1600, at Miraslau, he lost the battle against the Hungarian nobility in Transylvania and also lost the Ardeal. In the Battle of the Teleajan River he lost Moldavia too.

He wanted to conquer again the lost territories. He won Transylvania in the Guruslau Battle and Walachia but unfortunately he couldn't unify Romania again because on August 9, 1601 in Campia Turzii he was murdered by general Basta. His head was taken by one of his captains and buried in Dealu Monastery near Targoviste.

Trivia :

- His reign coincided with the Long War.
- He was the Prince of Walachia between 1593 and 1601, of Transylvania between 1599 and 1600 and of Moldavia in 1600.
- His unification lasted six months.
- His mother, Teodora was a member of the Cantacuzino family.
_{Mihai Viteazul Image : crestinortodox.ro}

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Category: Others  - ( Others Archive)

Date Added: 22 October '06

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