Neagoe Basarab

Neagoe Basarab was the ruler of Wallachia between 1512 and 1521.

 

 

 
 
 

 Neagoe Basarab and his son Theodosie

 (greek icon from the Dionysiou Monastery)

 
 
 

Born in the boyar family of the Craiovesti as the son of Basarab cel Tânar ("the young"), Neagoe Basarab was a wise and balanced ruler.

In the 16th century, Wallachia was independent, but was required to be an exorbitant tribute to the greater force of the Ottoman Empire. He encouraged the devlopement of crafts and trade, while on the foreign policy, he tried to maintain good relations with the other powerful neighbour, Hungary.

He also did some diplomatic work, trying to establish relations with Venice and Rome, even trying to mediate the dispute between Orthodox Christians and Catholics with the purpose of uniting the Christianity against the Ottoman threat.

He continued the Byzantine tradition of making generous donations to the Orthodox monasteries (in Wallachia and all around the Balkans). During his reign the Curtea de Arges Monastery was built in 1517 by the legendary craftsman Mesterul Manole.

Neagoe Basarab wrote one of the old Romanian literary masterpieces, called "Invataturile lui Neagoe Basarab catre fiul sau Teodosie" ("The Teachings of Neagoe Basarab to his son, Theodosie"), in which he touches various subjects as philosophy, diplomacy, morals and ethics, etc.