Miron Costin


Miron Costin was a Moldavian political figure and chronicler. His main work, Letopiseţul Ţărâi Moldovei was meant to extend Grigore Ureche's narrative, covering events from 1594 to 1660. The Chronicles were first published in 1675.
He also wrote Istoria în versuri polone despre Ţara Moldovei şi Munteniei, also known under the title Poema polonă.

Life

Miron Costin was born as the son of a rich Moldavian boyar. He spent his earliest years in Poland, where his family had taken refuge from Ottoman violence in Moldavia. His father had become a Polish magnate, which gave Miron the right to study at the Jesuit College in Bar, then at Kamienec Podolski.
He returned to Moldavia in 1653, and became a trainee of the country's treasury. Valued by the administration, he rose quickly, becoming Vornic in 1669.
In 1691 his relation with Prince Constantin Cantemir deteriorated. He and his brother were believed to have tried to usurp the throne in Iaşi: both were executed.

Works