How did Ottoman rule affect Romanian literature during the 18th century?

During the 18th century, Romanian literature was significantly shaped by the Phanariote regime, a period of Ottoman rule characterized by social oppression and cultural decadence. As the Ottoman Empire appointed Greek or Hellenized families from the Phanar district of Constantinople to govern the principalities of Moldavia and Walachia, Greek influence expanded within the church and cultural life.1234

This era generally lacked the literary progress seen in previous centuries, with much of the output consisting of secular and apocryphal manuscripts. However, the period did see the production of significant religious texts, such as the Minei (“Lives of the Saints”), which were noted for their rich and lucid language.1

Toward the end of the 18th century, a lyric tradition emerged, influenced by the ancient Greek poet Anacreon. This movement was led by the Văcărescu family, including Ienăchiță, who wrote the first Romanian grammar, and his son Iancu, who is often regarded as the father of Romanian poetry.1