Neagoe Basarab (; – 15 September 1521) was the Voivode (Prince) of Wallachia between 1512 and 1521. Born into the boyar family of the Craiovești (his reign marks the climax of the family's political influence) as the son of Pârvu Craiovescu or Basarab Țepeluș cel Tânăr, Neagoe Basarab, who replaced Vlad cel Tânăr after the latter rejected Craioveşti tutelage, was noted for his abilities and competence. He is sometimes mentioned as Neagoe Basarab IV, due to other Wallachian rulers by the name Basarab (not Neagoe Basarab) preceding him on the throne, some of them certain members of the House of Basarab and some less so.
He wrote a mirror for princes called The teachings of Neagoe Basarab to his son Theodosie, written in Church Slavonic. It was intended to educate his son on the topics of philosophy, diplomacy, morality and ethics. In 2008, he was posthumously canonised as a Christian saint by the Romanian Orthodox Church. His annual feast day is on 26 September.
Early life
The early life of Neagoe is mostly unknown before his rise to political prominence. His slow rise to power was influenced in large part by the help of his grandfather Neagoe Craiovescu, who pushed from 1508 for his ascendence to the throne. This can be seen in his rising up in political appointments:
- Neagoe acted as "Reckoner" (a kind of secretary) to Patriarch Saint Nephon II during the reign of Radu the Great. Although he served the Patriarch, Nephon is reported to have sought "teaching and soul food" from Neagoe.
- From December 25, 1501 until June 19, 1509 Neagoe acted as a High Seneschal.