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The Magars, a Uralic-speaking people originated in the Ural Mountains region, in what is now modern-say Russia.
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Magna Hungaria, the ancestral homeland of the Hungarians, was first mentioned by the thirteenth-century traveler Giovanni da Plano Carpini during his explorations in northern and central Asia. Friar Julian also visited in search of Eastern Hungarians. Most accounts place Magna Hungaria in the forest-steppe region of Bashkortostan, specifically around the Kushnarenkovo and Karayakupovo cultures in the Southern Urals.
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During the 6th century, the Magyars moved eastward, interacting with Turkic tribes in the Eurasian steppes. This influenced their culture.
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In the late 8th century, the Magyars began settling temporarily in Eastern Europe, including areas near the Volga River and the Carpathian Basin.
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Levedia, a vital Hungarian stronghold in 9th-century Eastern Europe, resulted from the efforts of Byzantine Emperor Constantine VII. While historical accounts place the Hungarian migration around 750 AD, the exact settlement date remains uncertain due to the passage of about four generations during that time.
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Around 830, the Magyars came into contact with the Carolingian Empire (East Francia) and occasionally raided its territories.
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During the late 8th and early 9th centuries, the Magyars continued their westward migration through the Carpathian Basin and into the Great Hungarian Plain.
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Etelköz is a historical-geographical term indicating the land inhabited by the Magyars before their conquest. The precise location of this "South Centre" is a subject of debate. Constantine VII's references appear to encompass two distinct regions: firstly, the western portion of the Eastern European wilderness, including the Dnieper, Southern Bug, Dniester, Prut, and Sèret rivers, and secondly, the Volga and Ural rivers.
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Leadership among the Magyar tribes was in flux during this period, with various leaders competing for dominance.
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The Hungarian Blood Compact, a sacred ceremony in the late 9th to early 10th century, united tribal leaders like Árpád. Mixing their blood with wine symbolized unity and commitment to defending their new homeland, marking a crucial moment in Hungarian history. The exact date remains uncertain, but it remains a powerful symbol of Hungary's unity and determination.
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The Hungarian tribes formed an alliance with Svatopluk, the ruler of Great Moravia, to bolster their position and security in the Carpathian Basin. This alliance likely involved cooperation and mutual support between the two powers, contributing to the stability and influence of both the Hungarians and Great Moravia during that period
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The Magyars established a more permanent presence in Pannonia (western Hungary) and began to organize a state.
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Árpád became the leader of the Magyar tribes, guiding them deeper into the Carpathian Basin.
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Between 895 and 899 in Transylvania, Duke Árpád, after consulting with his nobles, dispatched envoys to the fortress of Bihar. Their mission was to request Duke Menumorout, claiming rights through his ancestor King Attila, to grant him the territory extending from the Szamos River to the border of Nyr, up to the Meszes Gate. Duke Árpád presented gifts to Duke Menumorout, similar to his previous gestures to Salan, the Duke of Titel.
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"In 899, the Magyars launched a Moravian campaign, securing victory at the Battle of Brenta River. This success paved the way for their invasion of northern Italy, where they plundered key cities like Treviso, Vicenza, Verona, Brescia, Bergamo, and Milan. They also defeated Duke Braslav of Lower Pannonia during this strategic campaign."
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Between 899 and 970, the Magyars conducted 45 to 47 raids across Europe. Impressively, 82.5% of these raids, or 37 in total, ended successfully. However, 8 raids (17.5%) were unsuccessful in the years 901, 913, 933, 943, 948, 951, 955, and 970.
[Magyar Raids in Europe (899-970): A Legacy of Success and Challenges
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_invasions_of_Europe) -
On September 24, 899, the Magyars achieved victory over Berengar's forces during the Battle of Brenta River. Subsequently, they launched an invasion into the northern territories of Italy, where they conducted raids across the regions surrounding Treviso, Vicenza, Verona, Brescia, Bergamo, and Milan. Additionally, they emerged triumphant in a confrontation with Braslav, the Duke of Lower Pannonia. -
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In 905, a significant development took place as the Magyars and King Berengar established a friendship, known as "amicitia." This agreement brought about a remarkable period of peace, with fifteen years passing without Hungarian troops venturing into Italy. -
Between 907 and 947, Prince Zoltán held a significant position among the Magyar tribes. His leadership spanned governance and possibly military campaigns, influencing the Magyars' history in this period. His role remains a topic of historical study and intrigue.
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Between 907 and 955, the Magyars conducted incursions and invasions across Europe, leaving a notable mark on the continent's history.
[Magyar Incursions and Invasions in Europe (907-955)]https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hungarian_invasions_of_Europe˙) -
In July 907, the Battle of Pozsony occurred, with the Hungarians defeating the Bavarian army of the East Frankish Kingdom. Prominent leaders, including Prince Luitpold and Archbishop Theotmar, fell in the battle. Following their victory, Hungarian territory expanded up to the Enns River, setting a crucial border until 955.
(4 and 7 July 907) -
On August 3, 908, the Magyars emerged victorious in the Battle of Eisenach, which took place in Thuringia. This battle resulted in the death of prominent figures, including Egino, Duke of Thuringia, Burchard, Duke of Thuringia, and Rudolf I, Bishop of Würzburg. The battle had significant consequences for the region and the involved parties. -
In the year 910, the Battle of Lechfeld witnessed the Magyars' triumph over the united Frankish Imperial Army led by Louis the Child. This significant battle marked a pivotal moment in the Magyars' military history. -
In 921, the Magyars achieved a significant victory by defeating King Berengar's foes in Verona. This triumph showcased their military prowess and expanded their influence in the region. By 922, they had reached Apulia, marking a notable territorial expansion in southern Italy. These events, in 921 and 922, were pivotal in shaping Magyar history, highlighting their ability to navigate the complex geopolitical landscape of medieval Europe. -
In 926, the Magyars launched a formidable campaign that swept through Swabia and Alsace, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. Their military advances extended through present-day Luxembourg and even reached as far as the Atlantic Ocean, marking a remarkable and far-reaching incursion into Western Europe. -
In 927, a significant turn of events unfolded as Peter, the brother of Pope John X, sought the assistance of the Magyars to exert control over Italy. Responding to this call, the Magyars embarked on a notable expedition that saw them enter Rome and establish their authority. Additionally, they imposed substantial tribute payments on the regions of Tuscany and Tarento, underscoring their influence in Italy during this period. -
On March 15, 933, a momentous event transpired as the adventuring Hungarian army, under the leadership of Lehel and Bulcsú, suffered its first significant defeat. They faced the forces of the German King Henry I (also known as Henry the Fowler) and the Saxon Prince (who reigned from 919 to 936) in the vicinity of Merseburg. This battle at Merseburg marked a critical juncture in the Hungarian adventurers' military endeavors. -
In 933, a sizable Magyar army made its presence felt in Saxony, following the expiration of their pact with the Saxons. However, their incursion into Saxony was met with defeat by Henry I at Merseburg. This marked the beginning of a series of Magyar attacks, including assaults on Upper Burgundy in 935 and renewed hostilities against Saxony in 936. These events illustrate the volatile geopolitical landscape of the time. -
In 937, the Magyars launched a series of bold raids. They reached as far west as Reims in France and conducted attacks in Lotharingia, Swabia, Franconia, Burgundy, and even southern Italy at Otranto. They also targeted Bulgaria and reached the walls of Constantinople in the Byzantine Empire, where the Byzantines paid them a tribute for 15 years. -
In 938, the Magyars launched multiple attacks on Saxony, persistently engaging the region in conflict. Two years later, in 940, they extended their campaigns to ravage the Rome region, leaving a trail of devastation in their wake. -
In 942, the Magyars conducted raids in Spain, specifically Catalonia, as chronicled by Ibn Hayyan. They journeyed through Lombardy in northern Italy and southern France before invading Thaghr al-Aqṣā, the northwestern frontier province of the Caliphate of Córdoba. Their campaign culminated in the siege of Lleida (Lérida) on July 7, 942. -
In 947, Bulcsú, a chieftain under Taksony's leadership, spearheaded a raid into Italy, venturing as far as Apulia. This incursion prompted King Berengar II of Italy to secure peace by offering a substantial sum of money to Bulcsú and his followers, highlighting the effectiveness of Magyar campaigns during this period. -
Between 947 and 955, Prince Falcsi played a significant role in the leadership and affairs of the Magyar tribes. His influence and actions during this period contributed to the shaping of Magyar history and their interactions with neighboring regions.
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Between 955 and 972, Prince Taksony assumed a prominent role in the governance and leadership of the Magyar tribes. His rule and actions during this period had a significant impact on the trajectory of Magyar history and their relations with neighboring regions.
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On August 10, 955, the Battle of Lechfeld near Augsburg unfolded over three days. King Otto I the Great of Germany led his forces to annihilate the Hungarian army led by Harka Bulcsú, Chieftains Lél, and Súr. This victory decisively halted further Magyar invasions into Latin Europe. -
Between 972 and 997, Prince Géza held a prominent position in the leadership and governance of the Magyar tribes. His rule during this period had a significant impact on Magyar history and their relations with neighboring regions.
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In 973, Prince Géza sought Christian priests and missionaries from Rome rather than Byzantium, aligning his principality with Western European states. He sent envoys to Emperor Otto I, marking a key step in establishing the Roman rite church in his territory. Géza's vision for Hungary as a European state began to take shape.