Alexander Mavrocordatos Firaris Explained

Alexander Mavrocordatos
Succession:Prince of Moldavia
Reign1:12 January 1785 – 14 December 1786
Predecessor1:Alexander Mavrocordatos Delibey
Successor1:Alexander Ypsilantis
House:Mavrocordatos family
Father:John II Mavrocordatos
Birth Date:1 July 1754
Birth Place:Istanbul
Death Date:8 February 1819
Death Place:Moscow
Religion:Orthodox

Alexander (II) Mavrocordatos (Romanian; Moldavian; Moldovan: Alexandru Mavrocordat al II-lea; 1 July 1754 – 8 February 1819), surnamed Firaris (Φιραρής) was a Phanariote who served as Prince of Moldavia from 1785 to 1786.

Life

Alexander was the son of John II Mavrocordatos, and served as Grand Dragoman from 1782 to 1785, before being Hospodar (Prince) of Moldavia from January 1785 to December 1786, succeeding his cousin Alexander I Mavrocordatos.

During the Russo-Turkish War of 1787–1792 he sided with the Russian Empire, which began to pose as a protector of Christians in the Balkans. At the end of the war he fled to Russia, whence his nickname ("firari" meaning "fugitivie" in Turkish). He obtained the title of Russian Prince and died in Moscow on February 8, 1819.

Alexander II Mavrocordatos had married Zaphira or Zamfira Caradja. The couple had only one daughter who became maid of honour to the Empress Catherine II of Russia.

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