| Constantin Cantemir | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Prince of Moldavia | |
| Reign | 25 June 1685 – 27 March 1693 |
| Predecessor | Dumitraşcu Cantacuzino |
| Successor | Dimitrie Cantemir |
| Born | 8 November 1612 |
| Died | 13 March 1693 |
| Issue | Antioh Cantemir,Dimitrie Cantemir |
| Dynasty | Cantemirești |
| Religion | Orthodox |
Constantin orConstantine[1] Cantemir (8 November 1612 – 13 March 1693) was aMoldaviannobleman, soldier, and statesman who served asvoivode between 25 June 1685 and 27 March 1693. He established theCantemir dynasty which—with interruptions—ruledMoldavia prior to the imposition ofphanariot rule.
Constantin was born into aMoldavian family ofCrimeanTatar origin in 1612.[1] He was createdvoivode of Moldavia by itsOttoman overlords in 1685, being favored over his rivalDumitraşcu Cantacuzino. (His sonDemetrius would later marry aCantacuzene princess.)[citation needed] Constantin was a good and conscientious ruler, protecting his people from rapacioustax farmers. He largely brought peace to his realm,[1] but served in campaigns of theGreat Turkish War againstPoland andAustria. Under his rule, Moldavia was invaded twice, once by theNogai Tatars and once by Poland. Nonetheless, he constantly informed the Polish andHabsburgs of Turkish designs and his sonsAntioch andDemetrius, who eventually succeeded him, would be instrumental in allying Moldavia toRussia in its first wars against the Turks.[citation needed]
In 1691, Cantemir orderedMiron Costin, a Moldavian chronicler andman of letters, to be put to death on charges ofconspiracy.[2]
According toNeculce, Constantin was illiterate to the point of only being able to write his own signature. Nonetheless, he ensured that his sons received a good education. His grandsonAntioch would serve as Russia's ambassador toBritain andFrance at the height of theEnlightenment, penning satires afterJuvenal, translatingHorace, and befriendingVoltaire andMontesquieu.[citation needed]
Constantin died in 1693 at the age of 80. His sonDemetrius notionally succeeded him but was passed over by theOttomans in favor ofConstantin Duca, who was supported by his father-in-law, theWallachianvoivodeConstantin Brâncoveanu.[citation needed]
| Preceded by | Prince/Voivode of Moldavia 1685–1693 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| People | |
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