Belső ellenségek. Hatalmi kapcsolathálók és oszmánellenes katonai lázadások a 16–17. századi Havasalföldön és Moldvában
Enemies Within: Networks of Influence and Military Revolts against the Ottoman Power in Sixteenth- and Seventeenth-Century Moldavia and Wallachia

Summary/Abstract: The present paper discusses sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Wallachian and Moldavian military revolts against the Porte as a telling indicator of governance relations between centre and periphery of the Ottoman imperial system. Examined in the context of the relationship between the Ottoman Empire and the twin vassal principalities, the origins and political career of rebelling local princes demonstrate that prosopographic analysis can provide essential insights into the phenomenon of military revolt. On one hand, it is proven that almost all the Wallachian and Moldavian military uprisings against the Porte were initiated by individuals who had spent long periods in the Ottoman milieu and were familiar with the Ottoman system of power. In this capacity, they acted as true “men of the system” involved in broad networks that often encompassed groups of various religion and ethnic background. It was precisely this position that provided them both access to the thrones of Moldavia and/or Wallachia and the means to contest Ottoman suzerainty. On the other hand, the analysis also shows that rebelling Wallachian and Moldavian princes were familiar with and subscribed to the various ideas about the imminent fall of the Ottoman Empire, which circulated all over Europe at the time. These ideas are shown to have played a role in their decision to raise their weapons against their “infidel” overlord.

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