The Jayhānī tradition contains the most detailed description of the Magyars/Hungarians before the Conquest of the Carpathian Basin (895). Unfortunately, the book itself was lost and it can only be reconstructed from late Arabic, Persian and Turkic copies. The reconstruction is primarily based on the texts of al-Marwazī, Ibn Rusta and Gardīzī. The original text has shorter and longer versions. The basic text was reformed at least twice and later copyists added further emendation. This study focuses on the philological comments and historical interpretation of the Magyar chapter, integrating the results in the fields of medieval Islamic studies, the medieval history of Eurasian steppe, and the historiography of early Hungarian history.
*Includes pictures *Includes excerpts of contemporary accounts *Includes a bibliography for further reading "Having crossed the Danube, they encamped beside the Danube as far as Budafelhévíz. Hearing this, all the Romans living throughout the land of Pannonia, saved their lives by flight. Next day, Prince Árpád and all his leading men with all the warriors of Hungary entered the city of King Attila and they saw all the royal palaces, some ruined to the foundations, others not, and they admired beyond measure the stone buildings and were happier than can be told that they had deserved to take without fighting the city of King Attila, of whose line Prince Árpád descended. They feasted every day with great joy in the palace of King Attila, sitting alongside one another, and all the melodies and sweet sounds of zithers and pipes along with all the songs of minstrels were presented to them ... Prince Árpád gave great lands and properties to the guests staying with them, and, when they heard this, many guests thronged to him and gladly stayed with him." - An excerpt from Gesta Hungarorum Of all the steppe peoples in the medieval period, perhaps none were more important to European history than the Magyars. Like the Huns and Avars before them and the Cumans and Mongols after them, the Magyars burst into Europe as a destructive, unstoppable horde, taking whatever they wanted and leaving a steady stream of misery in their wake. They used much of the same tactics as the other steppe peoples and lived a similar, nomadic lifestyle. The Magyars also had many early cultural affinities with other steppe peoples, following a similar religion and ideas of kingship and nobility, among other things. That said, as similar as the Magyars may have been to other steppe nomads before and after them, they were noticeably different in one way: the Magyars settled down and became a part of Europe and Western Civilization in the Middle Ages. The Magyars exploded onto the European cultural scene in the late 9th century as foreign marauders, but they made alliances with many important kingdoms in less than a century and established their own dynasty in the area, roughly equivalent to the modern nation-state of Hungary. After establishing themselves as a legitimate dynasty among their European peers, the Magyars formed a sort of cultural bridge between the Roman Catholic kingdoms of Western Europe and the Orthodox Christian kingdoms of Eastern Europe. Ultimately, the Magyars chose the Roman Catholic Church, thereby becoming a part of the West and tying their fate to it for the remainder of the Middle Ages. The Magyars: The History and Legacy of the Medieval Tribes that Established the Kingdom of Hungary examines the Magyars and their culture, from their origins through the Arpad Dynasty to their raids on Europe, the establishment of a royal dynasty, and their integration into Western Civilization, marking the transition from the Magyars to Hungarians. Along with pictures and a bibliography for further reading, you will learn about the Magyars like never before.
Having won a two-third majority in Parliament at the 2010 elections, the Hungarian political party Fidesz removed many of the institutional obstacles of exerting power. Just like the party, the state itself was placed under the control of a single individual, who since then has applied the techniques used within his party to enforce submission and obedience onto society as a whole. In a new approach the author characterizes the system as the ?organized over-world?, the ?state employing mafia methods? and the ?adopted political family', applying these categories not as metaphors but elements of a coherent conceptual framework. The actions of the post-communist mafia state model are closely aligned with the interests of power and wealth concentrated in the hands of a small group of insiders. While the traditional mafia channeled wealth and economic players into its spheres of influence by means of direct coercion, the mafia state does the same by means of parliamentary legislation, legal prosecution, tax authority, police forces and secret service. The innovative conceptual framework of the book is important and timely not only for Hungary, but also for other post-communist countries subjected to autocratic rules. ÿ
From the 1860s onward, Habsburg Hungary attempted a massive project of cultural assimilation to impose a unified national identity on its diverse populations. In one of the more quixotic episodes in this “Magyarization,” large monuments were erected near small towns commemorating the medieval conquest of the Carpathian Basin—supposedly, the moment when the Hungarian nation was born. This exactingly researched study recounts the troubled history of this plan, which—far from cultivating national pride—provoked resistance and even hostility among provincial Hungarians. Author Bálint Varga thus reframes the narrative of nineteenth-century nationalism, demonstrating the complex relationship between local and national memories.
The Mythic Image of The Magyars is Reaching back a 1,000 years through history and beyond to reveal the true Ancient Religion of the Magyar people. The book has pulled out of History, Mythology and Folklore the close connections of the Magyar people to the ancient faith of Tantric Buddhism, the east and possibly The Magyar peoples True Origin!
The Folk-Tales of the Magyars, collected by János Kriza, János Erdélyi, Gyula Pap, and others, serves as a comprehensive anthology that ventures into the heart of Hungarian folklore. This collection traverses a broad spectrum of literary styles, from the lyrical to the narrative, encapsulating the rich cultural tapestry of Hungary. It shines a spotlight on the diversity and significance of Hungarian folk tales, showcasing their profound impact on the literary context of the region. Standout pieces within the compilation highlight the folkloric traditions and mythological narratives that have been instrumental in shaping the Hungarian literary heritage, making this anthology a pivotal work for scholars and enthusiasts alike. The contributors to this collection, among them esteemed figures like Erdélyi, Kriza, and Pap, bring together a wealth of backgrounds in literature, folklore studies, and history. Their collective efforts align with historical and cultural movements that have championed the preservation and study of folklore, affirming the anthology's role in advancing our understanding of Hungarian cultural identity. By converging these varied voices, the collection offers a panoramic view of the themes that have preoccupied Hungarian storytelling through the ages, enriching the reader's appreciation of this rich literary tradition. This anthology is an essential resource for anyone keen on exploring the depth and diversity of Hungarian folklore. Through its pages, readers are invited to embark on a journey that spans the whimsical, the profound, and the culturally significant, all the while fostering a dialogue between the works of various authors. It stands not only as a scholarly treasure trove but also as an entry point into the wider world of folk tales, offering educational value, a breadth of insights, and an enriched understanding of Hungary's literary and cultural landscapes.
