Dimitrie Cantemir

 AAA             Cantemir Dimitrie (1673-...) was the first great personality of our culture. The climax of Romanian humanism (a polyglot, he also knew classic languages and antique culture).
            Son of a Moldavian ruler and Cacavela Ieremia's apprentice, he was taught by some famous teachers becoming one of the most important savant of the 18th century. He perfected his culture at the School of the Patriarchy in Constantinople. Cantemir's glory was precocious.
            He made his debut in 1698 with his work Divanul sau Galceava inteleptului cu lumea - the first original philosophical book written by a Romanian in Romanian language. The theme of the book is the fight between body and soul, finally demonstrating the superiority of spiritual life. the dialogue is full of flavors, dynamic, the text is complex and full of reflections and wise sows.
            Istoria ieroglifica (1707) is the first belletristic masterpiece, a social-philosophical novel written in the form of an allegoric description of the fights between the families Cantemir and Brancoveanu. characters are embodied in some animals or birds.
            Between 1711 and 1719 he realized the most important part of his work: Descriptio Moldaviae (1716) (The Description of Moldavia). It has three parts:
                        1. the geographical description - includes descriptions of the waters, mountains, plains, of the flora and fauna. Ceahlau mountain's description is impressive..
                        2. the political part - about the election of rulers, about habits in the court and traditions regarding weddings and funerals. He was the first to include research on ethnography and folklore. 
                        3. Despre naravurile moldovenilor (About the Moldavious' Vices) - he defines the personality of our people, gave the information about hospitality, language, dances, religious cult and proverbs of the people.
            Hronicul a romano-moldovo-vlahilor was written in Petersburg between 1719-1722. It represents the past, the common origin of all Romanians. Cantemir is considered to be the first Latinist before the Transylvanian School.
            Istoria imperiului otoman (The History of the Turk Empire) was written in Latin, between 1715-1716, including dates about the life, the culture of the Turks, about traditions, vias and their beliefs.
            Cantemir's work symbolizes four centuries of manifestation of Romanian culture opening wide horizons to the next period, that of the century of lights and of the movement know as the Transylvanian School.