Michael the Brave

The prince who first united the three principalities of the Romanians under a single ruler.

Life

Rose in revolt

Michael became Prince of Wallachia in 1593, immediately rose in revolt against the Ottomans, and in 1595 crushed the Ottoman army at Călugăreni.

Three principalities

In 1599 he invaded Transylvania, and the following year he occupied Moldavia, for the first time bringing the three principalities of Wallachia, Transylvania and Moldavia under his rule; he styled himself "Prince of Wallachia, Transylvania and all of Moldavia."

Assassinated

The union lasted only a few months; in 1601 he was assassinated by men sent by a Habsburg general.

Legacy

Although the unification lasted only a few months, Michael the Brave was regarded by 19th-century Romanian nationalists as the forerunner of unification.

Did you know? Romania's highest military decoration is called the "Order of Michael the Brave."

Key dates

• 1593Became Prince of Wallachia
• 1595Crushed the Ottomans at Călugăreni
• 1599Invaded Transylvania
• 1600Union of the three principalities
• 1601Assassinated