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Michael the Brave one of the 4 quintessential heroes of Romanian Middle Ages had been also a hero of neoGreek early literature. 1st work dedicated to him was an epic poem in Demotic by Stavrinos the Vestiarius (=treasurer) written in Feb 1602 as the author himself notes.
Michael was (at least) 1/2 Greek his mom being known under the name Theodora, sister of Ban of Oltenia Yani Cantacuzino &, possibly, Michael Șeytanoglu Kantakouzenos.
He claimed* that his father was Pătrașcu(Peter) the Good(1554-1557) famed for his many mistresses
.
He claimed* that his father was Pătrașcu(Peter) the Good(1554-1557) famed for his many mistresses
.
Stavrinos, not mentioned in any other contemporary document, might have been a lower level staff, maybe in the treasury, but was among Michael's suite when he was captured & killed on Aug 9th 1601 by Austrian general Giorgio Basta (of Albanian-Italian origin).
Stavrinos himself appears to have been captured at the same time &imprisoned in the city of Bistrița.
He notes in his poem that he was born in "Malsiana (?) in the parts of Delvino"(N Epirus now Albania). His editor, monk Neophitos, noted S was killed in 1631 in Wallachia.
He notes in his poem that he was born in "Malsiana (?) in the parts of Delvino"(N Epirus now Albania). His editor, monk Neophitos, noted S was killed in 1631 in Wallachia.
Stavrinos' work has 1312 verses written over more than 100 pages of manuscript that was subsequently printed in Venice in 1672 & was fairly widely circulated in the age among Greek-speaking audience.
Translated in proze Romanian in 1836 & versified in 1972 (3rd centenary).
Translated in proze Romanian in 1836 & versified in 1972 (3rd centenary).
Stavrinos account has some historiographical value as well & was likely the source of several other Greek literary works in the age:
Georgios Palamidis' similar epic poem
Cretan comedy Katzourbos (Κατζούρμπος)
Ioannis Vergitsis' - History of Venetian Crete, etc.
Georgios Palamidis' similar epic poem
Cretan comedy Katzourbos (Κατζούρμπος)
Ioannis Vergitsis' - History of Venetian Crete, etc.
Stavrinos work might have also entered the Chronicles of Radu Popescu & C-tine Cantacuzino written in Romanian in late 1600s. Full text 
https://archive.org/stream/StavrinosPoemaDespreMihaiViteazul/Stavrinos%2C%20Poema%20despre%20Mihai%20Viteazul_djvu.txt
https://archive.org/stream/StavrinosPoemaDespreMihaiViteazul/Stavrinos%2C%20Poema%20despre%20Mihai%20Viteazul_djvu.txt
