European Kingdoms

Moldavia

Much of Moldavia was occupied by the Germanic Bastarnae in the first century BC, but parts of this tribe were subjugated by Rome and resettled on the south bank of the Danube, while the rest came to be dominated by the Goths. Subsequently, the principalities of Wallachia and Moldavia were the first Vlach (Romance-language) states to form north of the Danube. They appeared once the incursions by nomadic Steppe peoples such as the Huns and Mongols had ceased. They were never subject to the Byzantine emperors in Constantinople, and they occupied territories that had only been partially occupied and then swiftly abandoned by the Roman empire in the third century.

As with Wallachia, during the fourteenth century, the principality of Moldavia gained a degree of self-rule which ended with the Turkish occupation and rule of the Balkans. Greek tax farmers, the Phanariots were appointed as princes. They were placed in power simply to get as much money out of the land as possible.

? - 1365

Bogdan the Founder

1365 - 1374

Latcu

1374 - 1391

Petru Mursat

1391 - 1394

Roman I

1394 - 1399

Stephen I

1400 - 1432

Alexander the Good

1418? - 1456

Petru Aaron

1457 - 1504

Stephen II the Great

1517 - 1527

Stefanita

1527 - 1538

Petru Rares

1538

Moldavia is conquered by the Ottomans. Ottoman rule is not direct, and local princes are allowed to govern the principality.

1556

Alexandru Lapusneaunu

1561 - 1563

Iacob Eraclid

1572 - 1574

John the Terrible

1574 - ?

Peter the Lame

c.1595

Stefan Razvan

? - 1606

Ieremia Movila

1606 - 1607

Simeon Movila

1626 - 1629

Miron Barnovschi Movila

1633

Miron Barnovschi Movila

1634 - 1653

Vasie Lupu

1685 - 1693

Constantine Cantemir

1711 - 1821

In occupied Wallachia and Moldavia, the Ottomans begin the destructive practice of appointing Greek tax farmers, known as the Phanariots (from the Phanar section of Istanbul), as princes. They are placed in power simply to get as much money out of the land as possible.

1711 - 1714

Nicholas Mavrocordat

Tax Farmer of Wallachia (1716-1717, 1719-1730).

1714 - 1716

Stephen Cantacuzino

1717 - ?

Michael Racovita

Tax Farmer of Wallachia (1741-1744).

1726 - 1733

Gregoy Ghica

1741 - 1743

Constantine Mavrocordat

Tax Farmer of Wallachia (1735-1741, 1744-1748).

? - 1763

Constantine Mavrocordat

1774

The Russian right of intervention is established at the Treaty of Kuchuk Karinarji.

1774 - 1777

Gregoy Ghica

1786 - 1788

Alexander Ypsilanti

Former prince of Wallachia (1775-1782). Restored (1796).

? - 1806

Alexander Moruzi

1806 - 1812

The Russians take Wallachia and Moldavia from the Ottomans in battle and occupy the region. Upon the advance into Russia of the French Emperor Napoleon Bonaparte, they sign a quick treaty and evacuate their troops northwards.

1812 - 1819

Scarlat Calimah

1828 - 1834

Russia re-occupies both principalities and controls the area under Governor Count Kisselev.

1834 - 1849

Mihai Sturdza

1848 - 1851

Russia occupies both principalities.

1853 - 1854

Russia again occupies both principalities, but is preoccupied fighting the Crimean War (1853-1856).

1854 - 1857

Russia is weakened after losing the Crimean War. Austria occupies the principalities, which are now united as one administrative region.

1859

Effectively united with Wallachia, the country is now under autonomous rule.

1918

Following the collapse of the Russian empire in late 1917, the ethnic Rumanians of the Russian provinces of Bessarabia and Moldavia declare a Moldavian People's Republic in January 1918, with the Rumanian army close at hand. In April, these regions become part of Rumania proper.

1940

Russia seizes Moldova (formerly Moldavia), before Rumania becomes an active ally of Germany.