Matei Basarab facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Matei Basarab |
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| Prince of Wallachia | |
| Reign | 1632 − 9 April 1654 |
| Predecessor | Radu Iliaș |
| Successor | Constantin Șerban |
| Born | 1588 Brâncoveni |
| Died | 9 April 1654 Bucharest |
| Spouse | Elena Năsturel |
| Religion | Orthodox |
Matei Basarab (born in 1588 in Brâncoveni, Olt, and died on April 9, 1654, in Bucharest) was a very important leader, known as a Voivode or Prince, of a land called Wallachia. He ruled for a long time, from 1632 to 1654.
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Matei Basarab's Rule
Matei Basarab's time as Prince was very busy. He often had to defend Wallachia from attacks by its neighbor, Moldavia. He successfully stopped these invasions in 1637, 1639, and 1653. One famous battle was the Battle of Finta.
Important Changes and Achievements
Matei Basarab was a smart and forward-thinking ruler. He brought the printing press to Wallachia in 1634. This was a huge step, as it allowed books and documents to be printed more easily. He also created the first set of laws for Wallachia.
He cared a lot about art and religion. He helped build more than 45 churches and monasteries. Because of all his good deeds, people often compare him to Stephen the Great, another famous ruler from Moldavia. Matei Basarab also started the first advanced school in his land.
How Matei Basarab Became Prince
Matei Basarab becoming Prince in 1632 was special. Usually, only people related to past Princes could rule. But Matei was a boyar (a noble) from the Craiovești family, and he wasn't directly related to previous rulers.
This choice might have happened because the local nobles wanted to choose their own leader. They didn't want new people from other lands, like Greeks, to take over important positions. Matei used the last name "Basarab" to connect himself to an old, respected ruling family.
Wallachia's Independence Plans
It seems Matei Basarab wanted Wallachia to be more independent from the Ottoman Empire. The Ottomans were a powerful empire that had a lot of control over Wallachia. Matei worked closely with George II Rákóczi, the ruler of Transylvania. George II Rákóczi was also a subject of the Ottomans, but he was very ambitious and had more freedom. Together, they might have planned to gain more independence.
Matei Basarab was married to Elena Năsturel.
Laws and Reforms
Matei Basarab, along with the Moldavian Prince Vasile Lupu, created the first written laws for their lands. These laws were not entirely new. They were mostly Romanian translations of old Byzantine customs and rules.
Matei Basarab's important law collections are:
- Pravila de la Govora ("The Govora Code"), published in 1640.
- Pravila lui Matei Basarab ("Matei Basarab's Code"), also known as Îndreptarea Legii ("The Re-shaping of Laws"), published in 1652.
These laws helped bring more order and fairness to Wallachia.
See also
In Spanish: Matei Basarab para niños
