Moldavia

Quick Facts: Who was Moldavia?

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Moldavia

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Historical principality in Eastern Europe, forming the basis of modern Romania.

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Origins & Early Life

Moldavia (Romanian: Moldova, pronounced [molˈdova] or Țara Moldovei lit. 'The land of Moldova'; in Romanian Cyrillic: Мѡлдѡва or Цара Мѡлдѡвєй) is a historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester River. An initially independent and later autonomous state under Ottoman overlordship, it existed from the 14th century to 1859, when it united with Wallachia (Țara Românească) as the basis of the modern Romanian state; at various times, Moldavia included the regions of Bessarabia (with the Budjak), all of Bukovina and Hertsa. It also included the region of Pokuttya for a period of time. The western half of Moldavia is now part of Romania, the eastern side belongs to the Republic of Moldova, and the northern and southeastern parts are territories of Ukraine.

Career & Major Achievements

The original and short-lived reference to the region was Bogdania, after Bogdan I, the founding figure of the principality. The names Moldavia and Moldova are derived from the name of the Moldova River; however, the etymology is not known and there are several variants: A legend mentioned in Descriptio Moldaviae (1714–1716) by Dimitrie Cantemir links it to an aurochs hunting trip of the voivode of the Voivodeship of Maramureș Dragoș and the latter's chase of a star-marked aurochs. Dragoș was accompanied by his female hound, called Molda; when they reached the shores of an unfamiliar river, Molda caught up with the animal and was killed by it. The dog's name would have been combined with the Romanian word for water, apă, and given to the river and extended to the country. the Gothic Mulda (Gothic: 𐌼𐌿𐌻𐌳𐌰, ᛗᚢᛚᛞᚨ) meaning 'dust', 'dirt' (cognate with the English mould), referring to the river.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

A Slavic etymology (-ova is a quite common Slavic suffix), marking the end of one Slavic genitive form, denoting ownership, chiefly of feminine nouns (i.e., 'that of Molda'). A landowner named Alexa Moldaowicz is mentioned in a 1334 document as a local boyar in service to Yuriy II of Halych; this attests to the use of the name before the foundation of the Moldavian state and could be the source for the region's name. On a series of coins of Peter I and Stephen I minted by Saxon masters and with German legends, the reverses feature the name of Moldavia in the form Molderlang/Molderlant (recte: Molderland). In several early references, Moldavia is rendered under the composite form Moldo-Wallachia (in the same way Wallachia may appear as Hungro-Wallachia). Ottoman Turkish references to Moldavia included Boğdan Iflak (بغدان افلاق, meaning 'Bogdan's Wallachia') and Boğdan (and occasionally Kara-Boğdan, قره بغدان, "Black Bogdania").

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1334: 1334 Milestone — A landowner named Alexa Moldaowicz is mentioned in a 1334 document as a local boyar in service to Yuriy II of Halych; this attests to the use of the name before the foundation of the Moldavian state and could be the source for the region's name.
2. 1714: 1714 Milestone — The names Moldavia and Moldova are derived from the name of the Moldova River; however, the etymology is not known and there are several variants: A legend mentioned in Descriptio Moldaviae (1714–1716) by Dimitrie Cantemir links it to an aurochs hunting trip of the voivode of the Voivodeship of Maramureș Dragoș and the latter's chase of a star-marked aurochs.
3. 1859: 1859 Milestone — An initially independent and later autonomous state under Ottoman overlordship, it existed from the 14th century to 1859, when it united with Wallachia (Țara Românească) as the basis of the modern Romanian state; at various times, Moldavia included the regions of Bessarabia (with the Budjak), all of Bukovina and Hertsa.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Moldavia

True or False: “The name Moldavia is derived from a river named after a dog's name.”

Answer (TRUE ⭕): According to legend, the hound's name 'Molda' was combined with the Romanian word for water ('apă') to name the river and subsequently the country.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• A. E. Housman — Historical peer (Born in 1859) (1859): English classicist and poet, renowned for his scholarship and melancholic verse.
• Aleksandr Popov (physicist) — Historical peer (Born in 1859) (1859): Pioneering Russian physicist credited with early radio receiving technology.
• Alaungpaya — Historical peer (Born in 1714) (1714): Founder of the Konbaung Dynasty, unifying Burma through military prowess.
• Anne, Queen of Great Britain — Historical peer (Died in 1714) (1714): Queen of Great Britain and Ireland, reigning from 1702 until her death in 1714.
• Antonio de Ulloa — Historical peer (Born in 1716) (1716): Spanish Enlightenment figure, scientist, and colonial administrator.
• Charles III of Spain — Historical peer (Born in 1716) (1716): Enlightened monarch who modernized Spain and championed secular governance.
• Emperor Sukō — Historical peer (Born in 1334) (1334): Third Northern Emperor during the tumultuous period of the Northern and Southern Courts in Japan.
• Hayam Wuruk — Historical peer (Born in 1334) (1334): Javanese Hindu emperor of the Majapahit Empire, reigning during its zenith.

Frequently Asked Questions about Moldavia