The current study examines literary translation through the lens of Polysystem Theory, focusing on the Romanian translations and retranslations of Edgar Allan Poe. Drawing on a mixed-methods approach that combines literature review, case study analysis, and quantitative elements, the paper highlights the dynamic position of translated literature within a national literary system. Polysystem Theory, as developed by Even-Zohar and later scholars, conceptualizes literature as a heterogeneous “system of systems” structured by shifting hierarchies between centre and periphery, canonised and non-canonised forms. Within this framework, translated literature may move from marginal to central positions depending on historical, cultural, and social conditions. The case study traces Poe’s reception in Romanian culture from the late 19th century to the present, documenting stages of indirect and direct translation, key translators, publishing waves, and periods of visibility and decline. Major contributors such as Eminescu, Caragiale, Ion Vinea, and Liviu Cotrău played crucial roles in canonising Poe within Romanian literature. The study also notes a recent decline in prominence and limited engagement with digital and CAT-based translation practices. Overall, the findings illustrate how Poe’s translated works reflect broader systemic fluctuations, demonstrating the dynamic interaction between literary translation and cultural context. Full text …