Stephen the Great and Balkan Nationalism

The defeat of the Ottoman Empire in the Balkans in 1475 at the Battle of Vaslui heralded the beginnings of a historic legacy. The victor became known as Stephen the Great or Athleta Christi, Champion of Christ. Perceived as the founder of a Balkan identity, Stephen the Great maintained Moldova''s independence during periods of fierce Ottoman attack between 1457 and 1504. His Christian religious st...