Radu Mihnea spent part of his early years in
Koper (Capodistria), on
Mount Athos and in Greece. His stay in the
Serenissima accounts for the pro-Venetian character of his rule and his interest in reforming the institutions of Wallachia and Moldavia. After completing his studies in
Istanbul, Radu became prince of Wallachia at a very important time in Romanian history: following the union of the three principalities of Wallachia, Moldavia, and Transylvania under
Michael the Brave. Radu would rule no less than four times in Wallachia and twice in Moldavia. He was loved due to his
Renaissance style and love of the arts. This was due to his upbringing by the monks of
Iveron at Mount Athos, Greece. Radu Mihnea died in 1626 in
Hârlău, Moldavia, and his body was carried to Bucharest and interred at the
Radu Vodă Monastery. The monastery was protected by the monks of Mount Athos due to Radu's loyalty to his educators. Radu and his wife Arghira Minetti had five children, three boys and two girls. These five would be the last surviving direct descendants of
Vlad III Dracula. The eldest was
Alexandru Coconul. He replaced
Polish vassal Simion Movilă on the throne in
Bucharest after the brief occupation of Wallachia by the troops of
hetmans
Jan Zamoyski and
Jan Karol Chodkiewicz. His first rule in the country signified the return to
Ottoman control, interrupted since
Michael the Brave. Radu appears to have been interested in a joint rule over Wallachia and Moldavia. He came closest to achieving it when his third rule over Moldavia was doubled by the reign of his son
Alexandru Coconul in Wallachia. The subtlety of this gesture is discarded in several sources: •
Radulo, who is nowadays Prince in Moldavia, and his son [who is Prince] in Wallachia, [the latter] being very young and overseen by his father (
Venetian document of April 11, 1625). •
Radulo Voivode, Prince of Wallachia and Moldavia (various documents). • Radu Mihnea's tombstone bears the carving of both countries' seals. ==Descendants==