Gregory Callimachi Explained

Gregory Callimachi
Succession:Prince of Moldavia
Reign1:11 June 1761 – 29 March 1764
Predecessor1:Ioan Teodor Callimachi
Successor1:Grigore III Ghica
Succession2:Prince of Moldavia
Reign2:3 February 1767 – 14 June 1769
Predecessor2:Grigore III Ghica
Successor2:Constantine Mavrocordatos
House:Callimachi family
Father:Ioan Teodor Callimachi
Mother:Ralitsa Chrysoskoléos
Birth Date:1735
Death Date:9 September 1769
Death Place:Istanbul
Religion:Orthodox
Signature:File:Grigore Callimachi's title in court calligraphy.png

Gregory Callimachi (Greek, Modern (1453-);: Γρηγόριος Καλλιμάχης, Romanian; Moldavian; Moldovan: Grigore Callimachi; 1735 – 9 September 1769) was a Phanariote who served as Prince of Moldavia from 1761 to 1764, and 1767 to 1769.

Origin

Gregory Callimachi was the son of the Grand Dragoman, and then Prince of Moldavia, John Theodore Callimachi, and Ralitsa Chrysoskoleos. He became hospodar of Moldavia as successor of his father in May 1761. Replaced by Grigore III Ghica in March 1764, he returned to his throne in January 1767.

Reign

It was the Russo-Turkish War of 1768-1774 that led to his death: accused of collusion with the Russian Empire, he was deposed in June 1769 and sent to Istanbul where he was tried and sentenced to death for treason with the Grand Dragoman Nicolas Soutzo and the Grand Vizier Yağlıkçızade Mehmed Emin Pasha. In September 1769, Callimachi is tied up and his severed head is exposed to the Bâb-ı Hümâyûn, that is to say to the outer door of the Topkapı Palace, with a yafta (explanatory notice) specifying his crimes.

Family

Gregory Callimachi married Helena Mavrocordatos, from whom he had two children:

Sources