DIE DRAGOMANE UND IHR BEITRAG ZUR ENTWICKLUNG DER RUMÄNISCHEN FÜRSTENTÜMER
The Dragomans and their contribution to the development of the Romanian Principalities

Summary/Abstract: Since ancient times, interpreters have enjoyed a high reputation due to their ability to mediate between cultures. The wide-ranging knowledge they had to acquire for their profession and during their assignments also helped them to hold political positions. Interpreters were probably held in the highest esteem at the Sublime Porte in Istanbul, where there was a whole team of experts on various matters regarding communication with other countries. The Grand Dragoman was the head of these interpreters and held a very high position in the Ottoman governing apparatus. In time, he led all diplomatic acts of the High Gate and became the most important element in the diplomacy of the Ottoman Empire. From the mid-17th century onwards, the Grand Dragomans were appointed mainly from the ranks of Greek Christians from Istanbul's Phanar district. By virtue of their position and talent, many of them were rewarded with the throne of one of the two Romanian principalities: Wallachia and Moldavia. Known as Phanariots, they and their rulers have been a controversial topic in Romanian historiography, with the negative traits being more the subject of discussion. In contrast, this article takes it upon itself to highlight the positive developments of these dominions, which took place thanks to the respective prince's qualification acquired in Istanbul as a Grand Dragoman.

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