Când au început românii să dea mită? Primele forme de șpagă au fost peșcheșurile și rușfeturile medievale • Newsweek România

The practice of bribery in Romania dates back to medieval times, initially manifesting as gifts to Ottoman officials. These early forms of bribery, known as peșcheșuri, evolved into more direct forms of corruption, termed rușfeturile, which were not officially recorded. The obligation to pay tribute to the Ottoman Empire was distinct from bribery, as it was a formal economic duty. Over time, the line between official payments and bribes blurred, especially during power struggles for the throne. Notably, figures like Mihai Viteazul paid substantial bribes to secure their positions. The culture of corruption persisted through various historical periods, becoming ingrained in Romanian society.