Hungarian Heritage Review, 1985 (14. évfolyam, 12. szám)
1985-12-01 / 12. szám
6 HUNGARIAN HERITAGE REVIEW DECEMBER 1985 MILESTONES IN HUNGARIAN HISTORY (continued from Page 5) And here is the mystery: it is a fact that very few people in the world know or care much about this long and glorious story. . . This series of articles is offered as an attempt, in small measure, to fill the void. By using the stories of the successive great kings and leaders as guides, we will try to present a smooth, sequential narrative of a staunch people and a country, which through triumph and tragedy, tell an inspiring tale. Into the Carpathian Basin — The Arpads It would serve no purpose here to enter into all the details of the wanderings of the Magyar- Hungarian tribes from the earliest times. Suffice it to say that by the Ninth Century A.D. seven Hungarian tribes, having moved steadily westward towards what is now Central Europe, found themselves on the edges of the Carpathian Mountains. Beyond this barrier lay the relatively undeveloped, underpopulated Carpathian Basin. Envision a huge arc of mountains begining near the lower reaches of what is now the Soviet Union, sweeping upward and then west past the southern extremities of Poland, then further west past Czechoslovakia and Austria. Within the confines of these mighty ranges, watered largely by the Danube River and its tributaries, lies the great, fertile spread of the Basin. Its southern borders are the Balkans. The Hungarians knew that the surrounding areas were solidly populated and organized into kingdoms and nations: the Moravians, the Bulgarians, the fringes of the German Empire and that of the Franks. It was apparent that there was no way for the newcomers to establish themselves, especially as a separate and independent nation, in these territories. The “promised land” appeared to lie beyond the Carpathians. Almos and Arpad Following an ancient and traditional system, the Magyar tribes were ruled by an elder chieftain, a political leader, and a younger, able-bodied warrior as military leader. In the latter years of the Ninth Century the principal leader was Almos; his son, Arpad, was the warrior-Prince. The pressure from their foes on all sides was squeezing the Magyar tribes against the wall of the Carpathians. It was apparent that they would have to make this move into the Carpathian Basin or simply be annihilated. To address this problem and to resolve it, Almos called for a convocation of the chiefs of the seven tribes: the Nyek, Magyar, Kurtgyarmat, Tarjan, Jeno, Kara and Kaza. It was clear, he indicated, that there would have to be a strong, unified hand at the helm for the next fateful step of the Hungarians. One man who could claim the loyalty and respect of all should be declared Supreme Chief. Arpad — Supreme Leader It was Arpad, son of Almos, who was unanimously declared Supreme Chief of all the Hungarians tribes. To solemnize and affirm this agreement, the seven chieftains drew up the Covenant of Blood. This ceremony, performed before the Magyar nations, consisted of having each of the chiefs slit his arm and pour his blood into a cup. Arpad, as the newly elected chief over all, gave his blood last. A shaman then mixed the blood with wine, and each of the leaders drank from the cup. “From this day forward,” chanted the shaman, “the Magyars, Huns and the Kabars shall be one nation indivisible just as your blood has become one in this cup.” When Arpad had drunk from the cup, he was raised aloft on his shield and proclaimed Supreme Chief. Arpad swore that all the others would share equally in all future conquests. He also guaranteed that they and all their descendants would be included in his and all succeeding royal councils. This declaration stood as a principal defense of the rights of the nobility of Hungary, and by extension of the lower orders, through succeeding ages, in their disputes with the Crown. And shortly after Arpad was elevated to his high position, his father, Almos, was slain in solemn and ritualistic sacrifice in order to placate the gods and to enable his spirit to enter his son. The newly united nation then prepared for its historic trek over the Carpathians into the Basin — to become the Hungarian national home for over one thousand years. —continued next issue In the next article we shall discuss the rule of Arpad and the succeeding Kings of the Arpad Dynasty.
