Principality of Moldavia: Map & History
Moldavia is a historical region and former principality in Eastern Europe, corresponding to the territory between the Eastern Carpathians and the Dniester River.
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Moldavia 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 as the basis of the modern Romanian state; at various times, Moldavia included the regions of Bessarabia, all of Bukovina and Hertsa. It also included the region of Pokuttya for a period of time.
Modern Countries Once Part of Principality of Moldavia
At its mapped extent, Principality of Moldavia covered territory in 3 present-day countries. The period shown is when the mapped borders include that country, and the note says how much of it.
Largest Present-Day Cities in Its Territory
Each opens on the live map inside Principality of Moldavia's borders of that time.
Derived by testing mapped cities against this polity's dated territorial polygons, so the list is indicative and follows the borders in the source dataset.
Principality of Moldavia in Depth
History
The Bolohoveni are mentioned by the Hypatian Chronicle in the 13th century. The chronicle shows that this land is bordered on the principalities of Halych, Volhynia and Kiev. Archaeological research also identified the location of 13th-century fortified settlements in this region. Alexandru V. Boldur identified Voscodavie, Voscodavti, Voloscovti, Volcovti, Volosovca and their other towns and villages between the middle course of the rivers Nistru/Dniester and Nipru/Dnieper. The Bolohoveni disappeared from chronicles after their defeat in 1257 by Daniel of Galicia's troops.
Military forces
Under the reign of Stephen the Great, all farmers and villagers had to bear arms. Stephen justified this by saying that "every man has a duty to defend his fatherland"; according to Polish chronicler Jan Długosz, if someone was found without carrying a weapon, he was sentenced to death. Stephen reformed the army by promoting men from the landed free peasantry răzeși (i.e. something akin to freeholding yeomen) to infantry (voinici) and light cavalry (hânsari), reducing his dependence on the boyars, and introduced guns. The Small Host (Oastea Mică) consisted of around 10,000 to 12,000 men. The Large Host (Oastea Mare), which could reach up to 40,000, was recruited from all the free peasantry older than 14 and strong enough to carry a sword or use a bow.
Geography
Geographically, Moldavia is limited by the Carpathian Mountains to the West, the Cheremosh River to the North, the Dniester River to the East and the Danube and Black Sea to the South. The Prut River flows approximately through its middle from north to south.
Of late 15th century Moldavia, with an area of 94,862 km2 (36,626 sq mi), the biggest part and the core of the former principality is located in Romania (45.6%), followed by the Republic of Moldova (31.7%), and Ukraine (22.7%). This represents 88.2% of the Republic of Moldova's surface, 18% of Romania's surface, and 3.5% of Ukraine's surface.
The region is mostly hilly, with a range of mountains in the west, and plain areas in the southeast.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia: Moldavia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
Principality of Moldavia: Key Facts
| Capitals | Iași, Suceava, Siret, Baia |
|---|---|
| Official languages | Greek, Church Slavonic, Romanian |
| Religion | Eastern Orthodox Church |
| Form of government | monarchy, principality |
| Currency | thaler |
| Founded | 1346 |
| Dissolved | 1859 |
Preceded by
- Golden Horde
- Kingdom of Hungary
Succeeded by
- United Principalities of Moldavia and Wallachia
- Bessarabia
- Bukovina District
- Bessarabia Governorate
Facts from Wikidata Q10957559 (CC0).
Principality of Moldavia Map Over Time
Dated world maps on which Principality of Moldavia appears, with the other states of the time.
Principality of Moldavia Timeline
Key historical inflections from foundation to peak territorial expansion
Expansion to peak recorded area of 256,733 km² in 1600 CE.
Principality of Moldavia: Frequently Asked Questions
When did Principality of Moldavia exist?
Principality of Moldavia is dated to 1363 CE – 1858 CE, in the High & Late Middle Ages era.
What was the capital of Principality of Moldavia?
The capital of Principality of Moldavia was Iași.
How large was Principality of Moldavia at its peak?
At its peak in 1600 Principality of Moldavia covered about 256,733 km².
How did the map of Principality of Moldavia change over time?
Principality of Moldavia appears on 5 dated world maps in the atlas, from 1400 CE to 1800 CE. Each shows its borders in that year next to the other states of the time.
Other Sovereign Realms
High & Late Middle Ages • Capital: Avarga
Early Modern & Age of Discovery • Capital: Söğüt, Bursa, Edirne, Constantinople
Industrial Era • Capital: London
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