The Eighth Tribe, 1977 (4. évfolyam, 1-12. szám)
1977-12-01 / 12. szám
Page 8 THE EIGHTH TRIBE December, 1977 for themselves in the remote eastern province of Transylvania. At times they extended their influence as far west as the Tisza River, and by the mid tenth century, they began to act almost as independent rulers. They also strengthened their power position by developing a close relationship with the Byzantine Empire, which was again on the offensive in its struggle with the First Bulgarian Empire. One sign of this increasingly close relationship between the gyulas of Eastern Hungary and the Byzantine Empire was the growing influence of Byzantine (Orthodox) Christianity in the eastern part of the country. In point of fact, during the early 950’s (somewhere between 950 and 955) the ruling gyula — whose name did not survive, except as “Gyula” — personally visited Constantinople, where he was baptized and also received the rank of a Byzantine “patrician.” With this move, Byzantine Christianity and Byzantine cultural influences began to spread into Eastern Hungary, including Transylvania. Had it not been for Prince Géza’s decision to accept Western (Latin, Roman) Christianity some two decades later, and had Géza’s son Stephen not defeated the gyula at the beginning of the eleventh century, Byzantine Christianity and Civilization would undoubtedly have become the dominant religion and way of life in all of Hungary. Sensing that the time was ripe for the reunification of the Magyars under a single rule, Prince Géza began the process of centralization as soon as he came to power in 972. In fact, with the presumed knowledge and approval of his father Taksony, Géza may have initiated this process even earlier, with a series of dynastic marriages. His first step in this direction was his own marriage to Sarolta, a relative and the daughter of the above-mentioned ruling gyula of Transylvania. This marriage proved to be a blessing, for Sarolta turned out to be an energetic woman, who not only supported her husband, but often actually led him in the process of nation-building. She also bore Prince Géza several children, including the future King St. Stephen. In the pursuit of this dynastic policy, Géza’s daughters were all married off to various potential allies. Thus, one of them married a near-independent Magyar tribal chief of the Upper Tisza region in Northeastern Hungary, a second one married Otto Orseolo the future doge of Venice, a third one Prince Boleslaw the Brave of Poland, and the fourth one Prince Gabriel Radomir, the heir to the Bulgarian throne. Moreover, Géza secured for his own son and heir the hands of Princess Gisella of Bavaria, whose brother would soon ascend the Holy Roman Imperial throne as Henry IV. These dynastic marriages were 70 den State” also has been included (in its original or revised form) in the following: 1. The Congressional Record, Washington, D. C., May 20, 1975, courtesy of The Honorable Edward J. Patten New Jersey’s Congressman of the 15th Federal District, U. S. House of Representatives ; 2. State of New Jersey, Senate Secretary’s File, July 1, 1976, courtesy of The Honorable Bernard J. Dwyer, Senator of New Jersey State District No. 18. 3. A Concise Treasury of South Dakota, New Jersey, and Wyoming Poets and Their Poems, Riverview, Florida: The National Society of Published Poets, 1976. 4. New Voices in American Poetry, 1975, New York: Vantage Press, Inc. The next selection, “To Our Family Friends in Their Bereavement” is a rhymed three-stanza poem written in regard to a friend, parent, and associate; its message could relate more broadly to other persons and times as well — thus, it could be considered less exclusive meaningfully. The third is entitled “If and When Pensive,” — also a threestanza rhymed piece written for purposes of hope, encouragement, and continuance toward keeping on going on (a reaction motivated by an editorial in one issue of The Eighth Tribe (a bicultural-bilingual educational periodical). The verse’s message can be taken universally also, pertaining to a theme of steadfast perserverance with a worthy task! The limited edition, personally signed copies, are obtainable c/o M. Takacs Barboe, Certified Counselor/Educator, P.O. Box 2244, Edison, N. J. 08817, at a total cost of $14, which includes postage, handling, message inscription, etc. (Proceeds are to go to counseling, educational, research, religious, tutorial services.) Dómján Museum in Sárospatak Hungary Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Dómján, of Tuxedo Park, N. Y., whose work was featured in the Eighth Tribe, May 1977 issue, visited Hungary to participate at the opening celebrations of the Dómján Museum in the historical college town of Sárospatak. The Dómján Museum is situated near the fortress-castle in a restored separate building. The original vaulted 15th century part of the building houses the woodblocks, documents and an educational exhibit of Domjan’s woodcut technique, showing the woodblock and corresponding woodcut prints made of these. The upper story added to the building
