He also battled with the Valachian count, 

Radu Serban's army, with alternating 

victories. Some of the Transylvanian counts 

united against him, but he succeeded in 

stopping their movements. 

  Vienna sent an army against him, and the 

Turks begun to find him unreliable, so both 

empires wanted him moved away of 

principality. The capricious prince was left 

by his loyal advisors and helpers too, even 

his best helper, Bethlen Gábor, left him 

and saving his own life asks for the Turks 

protection. 

  Báthory was killed, after all, by his own 

hussars, because, for to regain the Turks 

sympathy he was ready to allow them the 

country's most important border town, 

Várad. 

«« back 

                               - 41-

         Bethlen Gábor

                  (1580 - 1629)

  Originated from a noble family, he 

become the Hungarian history's most 

important  personality of the XVIIth. 

century. 

  As young he 

served Báthory Zsigmond, then 

supported 

Székely Mózes, 

who, unlike

general Basta, 

tried to save 

Transylvania 

from destruction 

by gaining the  Turks  support. Bethlen had 

to run to the Turks several times because 

of him threatening dangers. 

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                          - 42 -