Dimitrie Cantemir

Dimitrie Cantemir (??????? ???????? in Russian, Kantemiro?lu in Turkish), (October 26 1673 - 1723) was a Moldavian Voivode, linguist and scholar.

Linguistic interests

In 1714 Cantemir becomes a member of the Royal Academy of Berlin. Between 1711-1719 he writes his most important creations. Cantemir was known as one of the greatest linguists of his time, speaking and writing eleven languages, and being well versed in Oriental scholarship. He was a voluminous and original writer of great sagacity and deep penetration, and his writings range over many subjects. The best known is his History of the Growth and Decay of the Ottoman Empire. This book circulated through Europe in manuscript for a number of years. It was finally printed in 1734 in London and later it was translated and printed in Germany and France. It remained the seminal work on the Ottoman Empire up to the middle of the 19-th century (afterwards, it was largely contested, for some of its sources were doubtful).

Related Topics:
1714 - 1711 - 1719 - History of the Growth and Decay of the Ottoman Empire - Europe - 1734 - London - Ottoman Empire

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He also wrote a history of oriental music, which is no longer extant; the first critical history of Romania; under the name of Historia Hieroglyphica, to which he furnished a key, and in which the principal persons are represented by animals; also the history of the two ruling houses of Brancoveanu and Cantacuzino (here, unfortunately for his reputation, Cantemir extensively forged and mystified); and a philosophical treatise, the book written in Romanian language, also in Greek, translated in Arabic, under the title Divanul sau Gâlceava În?eleptului cu lumea sau Giude?ul sufletului cu trupul; in French: Le divan ou la dispute du sage avec le monde ou le jugement de l'âme avec le corps; in English The Divan or The Wise Man's Parley with the World or The Judgement of the Soul with the Body.

Related Topics:
Romania - Romanian language - Greek - Arabic - French - English

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