Bathory had inherited the military genius of his uncle, and his victories astonished contemporary Europe. In 1595 he subdued Walachia and annihilated the army of Sinan Pasha at Giurgevo (October 25). The turning-point of his career was his separation from his wife, the archduchess Christina of Austria, in 1599, an event followed by his own abdication the same year, in order that he might take orders. It was on this occasion that he offered the throne of Transylvania to the emperor Rudolph II, in exchange for the duchy of Opole.
In 1600, however, at the head of an army of Poless and Cossacks, he attempted to recover his throne, but was routed by Michael, voivode of Moldavia, at Suceava. In February 1601 the diet of Klausenburg reinstated him, but again he was driven out by Michael, never to return. He died at Prague in 1613.
In fact he abdictaed three times, twice (1597, 1602), in favor of Holy Roman Emperor Rudolf II and once (1599) of his cousin Andrew Cardinal Bathory.