How to Access Istoria Românilor by Academia Română - The Ultimate Guide to Downloading the PDF Files
Istoria Românilor: A Comprehensive History of Romania by Academia Română
If you are interested in learning more about the history of Romania, one of the most authoritative and comprehensive sources you can consult is Istoria Românilor (The History of Romanians), a monumental work published by Academia Română (The Romanian Academy), the highest cultural and scientific institution in Romania. In this article, we will explain what Istoria Românilor is, why it is important, and how you can download it as a PDF file.
istoria romanilor academia romana pdf download
Introduction
What is Istoria Românilor?
Istoria Românilor is a multi-volume work that covers the entire history of Romania from prehistoric times to the present day. It was initiated by Academia Română in 1965, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and objective synthesis of Romania's past, based on rigorous scientific research and updated sources. The project involved hundreds of historians, archaeologists, philologists, geographers, ethnologists, art historians, and other specialists from various fields. It took more than five decades to complete, with the last volume being published in 2013.
Why is it important?
Istoria Românilor is important for several reasons. First, it offers a detailed and balanced account of Romania's historical development, highlighting its achievements and challenges, its diversity and unity, its continuity and change. Second, it reflects the latest discoveries and interpretations in Romanian historiography, incorporating new evidence and perspectives that enrich our understanding of Romania's past. Third, it contributes to the promotion and preservation of Romania's cultural heritage, by presenting its historical landmarks, personalities, traditions, values, and symbols. Fourth, it fosters a critical and informed dialogue about Romania's history, by addressing controversial issues and debates that have shaped its historical consciousness.
How to download it as a PDF file?
If you want to download Istoria Românilor as a PDF file, you have several options. One option is to visit the website of Academia Română (www.acad.ro), where you can find links to download each volume separately or as a whole. Another option is to visit the website of Internet Archive (www.archive.org), where you can find scanned copies of some volumes that you can download or read online. A third option is to visit other websites that offer PDF downloads of Istoria Românilor, such as Scribd (www.scribd.com) or Academia.edu (www.academia.edu). However, you should be careful about the quality and legality of these sources.
Main body
The origins and development of Istoria Românilor
Istoria Românilor consists of ten volumes that cover different periods and aspects of Romania's history. Here is a brief overview of each volume:
The first volume: From prehistory to the Dacian-Roman wars
This volume covers the earliest traces of human presence on Romania's territory, from Paleolithic times to the Iron Age. It also examines the formation and evolution of various prehistoric cultures and civilizations that inhabited this region, such as Cucuteni-Trypillia, Hamangia, Coțofeni, Wietenberg, Gumelnița-Karanovo VI etc. It also focuses on the emergence and development of Dacia as a powerful state in Southeastern Europe under King Burebista and his successors. It ends with an analysis of the Dacian-Roman wars that led to Dacia's conquest by Emperor Trajan in 106 AD.
The second volume: From the Roman province to the Great Migration
This volume covers the period from 106 AD to 602 AD when Dacia was part of the Roman Empire. It explores how Romanization affected Dacia's political, social, economic, cultural, and religious life. It also discusses how Dacia faced various challenges from external enemies such as Goths, Carpians, Sarmatians, Huns, Gepids, Avars etc., as well as internal crises such as plagues, revolts, and invasions. It ends with an account of how Dacia was gradually abandoned by Roman authorities and population in late antiquity.
The third volume: From the formation of the Romanian people to the feudal fragmentation
This volume covers the period from the 7th century to the 14th century when the Romanian people emerged as a distinct ethnic group from the fusion of Romanized Dacians and other populations that settled in the former Dacian territory. It traces how the Romanians formed their own political entities, such as Vlachia, Transylvania, Moldavia, Banat etc., and how they interacted with other neighboring peoples, such as Bulgarians, Hungarians, Pechenegs, Cumans, Tatars, Serbs etc. It also examines how feudalism shaped Romania's social structure, economy, culture, and religion.
The fourth volume: From the rise of the Romanian principalities to the Ottoman domination
This volume covers the period from the 14th century to the 18th century when the Romanian principalities of Wallachia, Transylvania, and Moldavia consolidated their autonomy and identity under various rulers. It highlights their achievements and challenges in defending their territories, expanding their borders, promoting their culture, and reforming their institutions. It also analyzes how they were affected by external factors such as Ottoman expansionism, Habsburg imperialism, Polish-Lithuanian intervention, Russian influence etc.
The fifth volume: From the Phanariot regime to the Revolution of 1848
This volume covers the period from the 18th century to the mid-19th century when the Romanian principalities were under the Phanariot regime - a system of Ottoman-appointed Greek rulers who exploited and oppressed the local population. It describes how the Romanians resisted and rebelled against this regime through various movements such as Tudor Vladimirescu's uprising (1821), the Greek War of Independence (1821-1829), the Russo-Turkish War (1828-1829), and the Revolution of 1848. It also shows how these events paved the way for the modernization and national awakening of Romania.
The sixth volume: From the Union of 1859 to the end of World War I
This volume covers the period from 1859 to 1918 when Romania achieved its national unity and independence. It narrates how Wallachia and Moldavia united under Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859), how Romania fought for its sovereignty in The sixth volume: From the Union of 1859 to the end of World War I
This volume covers the period from 1859 to 1918 when Romania achieved its national unity and independence. It narrates how Wallachia and Moldavia united under Alexandru Ioan Cuza (1859), how Romania fought for its sovereignty in the Russo-Turkish War (1877-1878), how Romania proclaimed its independence (1878), how Romania acquired Dobruja (1878) and lost Southern Bessarabia (1878), how Romania became a kingdom under Carol I (1881), how Romania developed its economy, society, culture, and politics in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, how Romania participated in the Balkan Wars (1912-1913), how Romania entered World War I on the side of the Entente (1916), how Romania endured the occupation and devastation by the Central Powers (1916-1918), and how Romania achieved Greater Romania by uniting with Transylvania, Bessarabia, and Bukovina (1918).
The seventh volume: From Greater Romania to the communist dictatorship
This volume covers the period from 1918 to 1947 when Romania experienced the rise and fall of Greater Romania. It depicts how Romania consolidated its national state and democracy in the interwar period, how Romania faced the challenges of the Great Depression, the rise of fascism, and the outbreak of World War II, how Romania allied with Nazi Germany and then switched sides to join the Allies, how Romania suffered huge human and material losses and territorial revisions, and how Romania fell under Soviet occupation and communist dictatorship.
The eighth volume: From the communist regime to the Revolution of 1989
This volume covers the period from 1947 to 1989 when Romania endured the communist regime. It analyzes how the communists seized power and abolished the monarchy, how they imposed a totalitarian system that violated human rights and suppressed any opposition, how they collectivized agriculture and industrialized the economy at a high social cost, how they controlled and manipulated culture and education, how they pursued a nationalist and independent foreign policy that distanced them from the Soviet bloc, and how they faced growing internal and external pressures that led to their downfall in the Revolution of 1989.
The ninth volume: From the post-communist transition to the integration in the European Union
This volume covers the period from 1989 to 2010 when Romania underwent a post-communist transition. It explores how Romania emerged from communism and established a democratic system that guaranteed political pluralism, civil liberties, and human rights. It also examines how Romania reformed its economy and society to cope with the challenges of marketization, privatization, globalization, and social inequality. It also discusses how Romania redefined its identity and role in the world by joining NATO (2004) and the European Union (2007), as well as by participating in regional and international cooperation and security.
The tenth volume: Mass media in communism
This volume covers the period from 1945 to 1989 when mass media in Romania was under communist control. It studies how the communists used mass media as a tool for propaganda, indoctrination, censorship, and surveillance. It also investigates how mass media reflected and influenced various aspects of life under communism, such as politics, ideology, culture, education, religion, sports, entertainment, etc. It also reveals how mass media was affected by and responded to different phases and trends of communism, such as Stalinism, de-Stalinization, national communism, liberalization, etc. It also shows how mass media was challenged by alternative sources of information and expression that emerged from within or outside the communist system.
The main themes and contributions of Istoria Românilor
Istoria Românilor is not only a chronological account of Romania's history but also a thematic analysis of its main features and problems. Here are some of the main themes and contributions of Istoria Românilor:
The continuity and identity of the Romanian people
One of the main themes of Istoria Românilor is the continuity and identity of the Romanian people throughout history. Istoria Românilor argues that the Romanians are descendants of both Romanized Dacians who survived Dacia's abandonment by Rome in late antiquity and other populations who settled in this region later on. Istoria Românilor also claims that the Romanians preserved their Latin language and culture despite various invasions and influences from other peoples. Istoria Românilor also emphasizes that the Romanians developed a strong sense of national identity based on their common history, culture, religion, and aspirations.
The political, social, economic, and cultural evolution of Romania
Another main theme of Istoria Românilor is the political, social, economic, and cultural evolution of Romania over time. Istoria Românilor traces how Romania formed its own political entities, such as Vlachia, Transylvania, Moldavia, Banat etc., and how they united into a modern nation-state. Istoria Românilor also examines how Romania's social structure changed from feudalism to capitalism, from rural to urban, from agrarian to industrial, from traditional to modern. Istoria Românilor also explores how Romania's economy developed from subsistence to market, from backwardness to progress, from dependence to integration. Istoria Românilor also discusses how Romania's culture evolved from folklore to literature, from art to science, from religion to secularism.
The role and influence of external factors on Romania's history
A third main theme of Istoria Românilor is the role and influence of external factors on Romania's history. Istoria Românilor acknowledges that Romania's history was not only shaped by its own internal dynamics but also by its interactions with other peoples and powers. Istoria Românilor analyzes how Romania was affected by various wars, conflicts, alliances, interventions, occupations etc., that involved other actors such as Ottoman Empire, Russia, Austria-Hungary, Poland-Lithuania, Germany, France, Britain etc. Istoria Românilor also evaluates how Romania influenced other regions and countries through its cultural exports, diplomatic initiatives, military actions etc.
The challenges and achievements of Romania in the modern era
A fourth main theme of Istoria Românilor is the challenges and achievements of Romania in the modern era. Istoria Românilor assesses how Romania faced various difficulties and opportunities in its transition from a traditional to a modern society. Istoria Românilor highlights how Romania achieved its national unity and independence, its democratic consolidation and integration into NATO and EU, its economic development and social welfare. Istoria Românilor also points out how Romania struggled with its territorial losses and revisions, its authoritarian regimes and revolutions, its economic crises and inequalities.
Conclusion
Summary of the main points
In conclusion, Istoria Românilor is a comprehensive history of Romania published by Academia Română that covers its entire past from prehistoric times to present day. It consists of ten volumes that cover different periods and aspects of Romania's history. It offers a detailed and balanced account of Romania's historical development, highlighting its achievements and challenges, its diversity and unity, its continuity and change. It reflects the latest discoveries and interpretations in Romanian historiography, incorporating new evidence and perspectives that enrich our understanding of Romania's past. It contributes to the promotion and preservation of Romania's cultural heritage, by presenting its historical landmarks, personalities, traditions, values, and symbols. It fosters a critical and informed dialogue about Romania's history, by addressing controversial issues and debates that have shaped its historical consciousness.
Recommendations for further reading
If you want to learn more about Istoria Românilor or about specific topics related to Romania's history, here are some recommendations for further reading:
Istoria românilor din cele mai vechi timpuri până astăzi (The History of Romanians from Ancient Times until Today) by Constantin C. Giurescu - a concise summary of Istoria Românilor in one volume.
Romanian History: A Brief Introduction by Keith Hitchins - an accessible overview of Romanian history for English-speaking readers.
Romanian Modernism: The Architecture of Bucharest 1920-1940 by Luminița Machedon - an illustrated study of Bucharest's architectural heritage during interwar period.
Communism in Romania 1944-1989 by Dennis Deletant - a comprehensive analysis of the communist regime in Romania and its impact on society and culture.
Revolution in Romania: What God Is Doing in Eastern Europe by Joseph Tson - a personal account of the Revolution of 1989 and its aftermath by a Romanian pastor and dissident.
Along the Enchanted Way: A Story of Love and Life in Romania by William Blacker - a memoir of living and traveling in rural Romania in the 1990s and 2000s.
I hope you enjoyed reading this article and learned something new about Istoria Românilor and Romania's history. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to share them with me. Thank you for your attention and interest.
FAQs
Q: Who wrote Istoria Românilor?
A: Istoria Românilor was written by hundreds of historians, archaeologists, philologists, geographers, ethnologists, art historians, and other specialists from various fields who were affiliated with Academia Română or other academic institutions in Romania or abroad.
Q: How long did it take to write Istoria Românilor?
A: It took more than five decades to write Istoria Românilor, from 1965 to 2013. The project was initiated by Academia Română in 1965, with the aim of providing a comprehensive and objective synthesis of Romania's past, based on rigorous scientific research and updated sources. The project involved several generations of scholars who worked on different volumes and chapters according to their expertise and availability.
Q: How many pages does Istoria Românilor have?
A: Istoria Românilor has about 10,000 pages in total. Each volume has between 800 and 1,200 pages, depending on the period and topic covered. The volumes are printed in large format (21 x 29 cm) and contain numerous illustrations, maps, tables, graphs, etc.
Q: How can I access Istoria Românilor?
A: You can access Istoria Românilor in various ways. You can buy the printed volumes from bookstores or online platforms that sell books. You can also borrow them from libraries that have them in their collections. You can also download them as PDF files from the website of Academia Română (www.acad.ro) or from other websites that offer PDF downloads of Istoria Românilor, such as Internet Archive (www.archive.org), Scribd (www.scribd.com), or Academia.edu (www.academia.edu). However, you should be careful about the quality and legality of these sources.
Q: What are some of the main criticisms of Istoria Românilor?
A: Istoria Românilor is not without its critics. Some of the main criticisms are that it is too nationalistic and biased in favor of Romania's interests and perspectives; that it is too descriptive and factual and lacks analytical and interpretive depth; that it is too conservative and traditional and ignores alternative and innovative approaches; that it is too outdated and obsolete and does not reflect the latest developments and trends in historiography; that it is too long and dense and difficult to read and use.