The Eighth Tribe, 1978 (5. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1978-05-01 / 5. szám
Page 16 THE EIGHTH TRIBE May, 1978 orientation and pro-Byzantine policy is the partially preserved Byzan- 1 ine crown that was probably received by King Andrew I from Emperor Constantine IX Monomachos in the late 1040’s. This crown, however, was only the first of such Byzantine crowns given to the Hungarian monarchs. As we have seen earlier, another crown was granted to Prince (later King) Géza by Emperor Michael VII Ducas during the 1070’s. This is the crown that later became the lower part of what is known today as the “Holy Crown of St. Stephen.” Tradition holds that Michael Dukas had sent this crown to Géza as a sign of his gratitude for the latter’s kind treatment of Greek prisoners after the Hungarian capture of the Byzantine outpost of Belgrade in 1071. It is more than likely, however, that the sending of the crown was the result of Géza’s overall pro-Byzantine, as opposed to King Salomon’s pro-German policies. This Byzantine orientation was also cemented by Géza’s marriage to a niece of the future Byzantine Emperor Nicephoras II Botaniates. By sending this second Byzantine crown to Géza, Emperor Michael Ducas extended his full recognition of the royal title (i.e. “krales”) of the Hungarian ruler. (The title “rex” was not used in Byzantine documents in reference to the Hungarian monarchs until the late twelfth century.) In return for this recognition, however, the Byzantine emperor expected Géza and his successors to remain faithful to the pro-Byzantine orientation. While this Byzantine orientation added much to Hungary’s prestige, the new relationship was also advantageous to Byzantium. Being pressed by the Seljuk Turks in Asia Minor, and being threatened by the rebellious Bulgarians and the Serbians in the Balkans, the Byzantine Empire needed Hungary’s friendship. The Hungarians in turn needed Byzantine recognition and support in their unceasing effort to avert subjugation by the Germans of the Holy Roman Empire. In light of the above, Hungary’s growing interest in the Balkans was natural. Moreover, King Ladislas’s and Coloman’s conquest of Croatia was even acceptable to the Byzantines. But the acquisition of the Dalmatian cities — not to speak of Hungary’s further aspirations in the Northern Balkans — was bound to create friction between the two neighbors. Even so, during Ladislas’s and Coloman’s rule, Hungaro- Byzantine relations generally remained friendly, or at least acceptable. In the early part of the eleventh century, this friendship was even sealed by the marriage of Ladislas’s daughter Piroska (Irene in Byzantium) to the future emperor, John II Comnenus (111843). In this way St. 104 Our Heritage in America Column Editor: Joseph Széplaki HUNGARIANS IN AMERICA (continued from previous issues) Reprinted from: The Hungarians in America 1583-1974; by Joseph Széplaki. The book can be ordered from the editor. 1906 Edward Zerdahelyi, a distinguished pianist, died in Germantown, Pa. He had been one of the pupils and friends of Franz Liszt. In 1849, he had escaped to America. He was one of the members of Stearns’ Hungarian Club and served in the Garibaldi Guard of New York during the Civil War. He spent the last twenty years of his life in Philadelphia as professor of music at the Sacred Heart Convent (Eden Hall, Torresdale). September 16. The Washington statue sent by Hungarian-Americans was unveiled in Budapest. The idea of sending the statue was that of Tihamér Kohányi, who had a great share in its realization. The American Hungarian Federation in Washington, D.C., an association of societies, institutes, and churches, was established to defend the interests of Americans of Hungarian origin in the United States. The American Hungarian People’s Voice started a campaign to save Henric Demar, a Hungarian immigrant who had been unjustly accused of murder in Nevada. The newspaper turned to the Hungarian-American public for help. By January 22, 1908, enough money had been collected to hire a well-known defense lawyer, who managed to secure Demar’s acquittal. 1907 This was the peak year of Hungarian immigration; altogether 60,071 immigrants were admitted to the country in the course of twelve months. Angelo Heilprin, famous geologist and professor and the son of Michael Heilprin, died. He had been president of the American Earth Study Society and the American Geographical Society. He had also participated in the Peary expedition to Greenland. 1909 The first Hungarian engineers’ and architects’ association was formed in New York.
