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Why is it called Transylvania?
The modern English name is probably taken from the Hungarian Erdély, which is derived from Erdő-elve meaning “beyond the forest” (a meaning first referred to in its Medieval Latin version in a twelfth century document – Gesta Hungarorum). “Transylvania” means “beyond the forest” (trans meaning “across, over, beyond”).
How did Romania Get Transylvania?
When Austria-Hungary was defeated in World War I, the Romanians of Transylvania in late 1918 proclaimed the land united with Romania. In 1920 the Allies confirmed the union in the Treaty of Trianon.
What does Transylvania mean in Latin?
beyond the forest
literally “beyond the forest,” from Medieval Latin, from trans “beyond” (see trans-) + sylva (see sylvan). So called in reference to the wooded mountains that surround it.
Why are there so many Hungarians in Transylvania?
With the conclusion of World War I, the Treaty of Trianon (signed on 4 June 1920) defined the new border between the states of Hungary and Romania. As a result, the more than 1.5 million Hungarian minority of Transylvania found itself becoming a minority group within Romania.
Why is Dracula from Transylvania?
The Order of the Dragon Vlad, or Dracula, was born in 1431 in Transylvania into a noble family. His father was called “Dracul,” meaning “dragon” or “devil” in Romanian because he belonged to the Order of the Dragon, which fought the Muslim Ottoman Empire. “Dracula” means “son of Dracul” in Romanian.
What is the origin of the Romanian name Ardeal?
Erdel, Erdil, Erdelistan, the Turkish equivalents, or the Romanian Ardeal were borrowed from this form as well. The first known written occurrence of the Romanian name Ardeal appeared in a document in 1432 as Ardeliu.
What is the etymology of the word Transylvania?
Etymology. The earliest known reference to Transylvania appears in a Medieval Latin document in 1075 as ultra silvam, meaning “beyond the forest” ( ultra meaning “beyond” or “on the far side of” and the accusative case of sylva (sylvam) “woods, forest”). Transylvania, with an alternative Latin prepositional prefix,…
What was the Union of Transylvania with Romania in 1920?
The union of the regions of Transylvania, Maramureș, Crișana and Banat with the Old Kingdom of Romania was ratified in 1920 by the Treaty of Trianon, which recognised the sovereignty of Romania over these regions and settled the border between the independent Republic of Hungary and the Kingdom of Romania.
Who ruled Transylvania before the Hungarians?
The Gepids, the Avars, the Bulgars and their Slavic subjects ruled Transylvania until the 8th century. The territories of Wallachia and Moldavia were under the control of the First Bulgarian Empire from its establishment in 681 until around the time of the Hungarian conquest of Transylvania at the end of the 10th century.