Navigating Identities: Early Pan-Slavic Views on Dacia, Wallachia, and Moldavia

This study examines early Pan-Slavic views on Dacia, Wallachia, and Moldavia, and their portrayal within a Pan-Slavist framework. Through analyzing primary sources such as the works of Vinko Pribojević, Mauro Orbini, and Juraj Križanić, the study investigates the perception of these regions regarding their demographics, geography, and history. While Pribojević and Orbini initially consider Dacia as an integral part of the Slavia, they do not explicitly classify Wallachia and Moldavia as part of the Slavic realm. Križanić’s perspective on Wallachia evolved over time, marginalizing its place within Slavic identity. Geopolitical dynamics, particularly Ottoman suzerainty over Wallachia and Moldavia, influenced this shift, which reflects the complexities of historical narratives and cultural identity in Southeastern Europe.