The theory of Finno-Ugric origin was represented mainly by linguists after the Compromise of 1867. Though the concept of kinship with the Huns was also definitive until the end of the 18th century, the famous psalm translator, Albert Szenczi Molnár‘s opinion of 1610, according to which Hungarian is a ‘language with no relatives’ in all of Europe, also held strong. Latin, which …
Csörsz’s Trench
Based on a folk legend A long-long time ago, before the time of the Hungarian Conquest, Longobard people were living in Pannonia. Their ruler was King Rád, a true giant, feared by all. King Frederick, however, attacked his people with a great army, and so King Rád had to call his people to arms too. …
Attila’s Sons
Based on the chronicle of Simon Kézai and a folk legend from the land of the Székelys When Attila died western nations were even more afraid than before: they feared his sons, for Attila had so many sons they could not be counted, they were like a nation themselves. Everyone thought that one of his …
The Kinship Between Huns and Hungarians
The outstanding writer and national educator of the twentieth century, Gyula Illyés, considered both Finno-Ugric peoples, as well as the Scythians, ancestors of present day Hungarians, and writes about the kinship between Huns and Hungarians in his essay entitled Who is Hungarian? published in 1939, excerpts of which follow here: ‘On the kinship between the Huns and the …
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The Sword of God
Based on the Chronicle of Jordanes and a folk legend from DebrecenThe Scythian kings had a powerful sword, which they received from God so that they could conquer all nations. This ancient sword was lost, but its fame lived on among the Scythian rulers for a long time. The elders always said, ‘Look for it, …
Ideas on the Hun-Scythian Theory of Hungarian Origin
The concept of a Hun-Hungarian mutual ancestry, supported by historians and rulers of the Middle Ages, was a determinant of Hungarian national identity for centuries. In his historical work Chronicle of the Hungarians, written around 1283, Simon Kézai, court priest of László IV, begins the story with Attilla. In his work The Legend of the Miracle Stag …
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A Word on Hungarian Ancient History
The origins and distant past of the Hungarians has always been an exciting question. Originally a topic which held the interest of rulers , the aristocracy, court historians and priests, a long line of scholars have scientifically examined it over the past few centuries. By examining the facts from different angles linguists, archeologists, anthropologists, biologists, …
Hungarians and Their Neighbors
‘Bad neighbors – Turkish curse’, says an old Hungarian saying. During the one and a half thousand years Hungarians have spent in the Carpathian Basin they have had ample time to experience the truth of this saying, as have their neighbors. Of course it would be an exaggeration to call all neighbors ‘bad’: centuries of …
Historical Pantheon
Monuments are not the only ways a nation can remember its heroes. Nations have a necessity for a hero cult; choosing historic personalities appropriate for filling symbolic needs of the present. Heroes set an example and express that which the nation strives toward. A historical pantheon includes many types of personalities: rulers, freedom fighters, even …
On Hungarian Symbols
There are a number of symbols Hungarians consider characteristic of themselves besides the legally accepted official symbols. The symbols Hungarians felt characterized them, and those other peoples have characterized them with, have of course changed at various points of history. Some of them have no basis in reality today. The characterization of a people also …