Stephen the Great and Balkan nationalism : Moldova and Eastern European history /

This case study of the origins and development of nationalism in Romania and Moldova centers on the career and legacy of Stephen the Great, the long-ruling vaivode (1457-1504) of the Principality (now Republic) of Moldova. Eagles (Univ. College London) begins with an introduction to Romanian history and its complicated political geography--still in flux--from the 15th century to the present. After summarizing Stephen's career, the author explores the archaeological (dynastic burials) and architectural (churches) legacy--both indebted to late Byzantine influences--of Stephen's reign and the uses to which subsequent generations built a national identity, especially in the late 19th century and the communist and post-communist eras. Eagles describes the modern recognition of Stephen as prince and saint, yet Romania is less enthusiastic than Moldova in treating him as a national hero. The author also explores various nationalistic theories and explains the value of ethnosymbolism as a useful key to understanding the complexities of the local nationalisms that recall the ancient Moldovan territories now controlled by neighboring Ukraine and eyed by Russia (Transnistria), which raise contemporary tensions in the area. Good bibliography and maps. Summing Up: Recommended. Most levels and libraries. S. Bowman University of Cincinnati