History according to the chronicles: Álmos’s triumph over the Russians

In a series, 24.hu looked at Hungarian history using traditional chronicles instead of the validated history we are taught. After all, this was how people understood their past before history as we know it became widespread.

As Hungarian numbers swelled in the land of the Scythians, they wanted to find themselves a new land to live in. They decided on Attila’s former territories. In fact, chief Álmos was a descendant of Attila.

The seven chiefs gathered and elected Álmos as their leader. In order to make their decision official, they conducted a blood oath ceremony.

According to the chronicler Anonymous, the seven leaders left the land of the Scythians and made their way West. Amongst them were Álmos and his son Árpád, the latter the one who founded Hungary.

Since there were no official routes leading to human settlements, they paved their own path towards their unknown destination. They only ate what nature offered, which was mostly meat and fish.

“The men were out hunting every day, and that is why Hungarians are the best hunters in the world today as well,” Anonymous wrote.

When they reached Kiev, they chose to invade the “land of the Russians” on the other side of the Dnieper. Local leaders were terrified as they were aware of Álmos’s relation to the late Attila, to whom they used to pay taxes. However, despite their fears, they decided to go to war and rather die on the battlefield than be under foreign rule.

The Chief of Kiev gathered all his troops and called upon his Kun allies. Hungarians –as written by the chronicler – only had the Holy Spirit for support. Álmos stood in front of his troops and told them an encouraging speech:

“Scythians, comrades and gallant warriors. Remember the time when we decided to find a new place to live, whatever the cost. Therefore, do not be overwhelmed by the swarm of Russian and Kun men, as bravery is not defined by number but by the strength of the soul. We should fight with bravery against these dog-like people; let us be afraid of their multitudes as we are of a cloud of flies,” wrote Anonymous.

He also made references to Alexander the Great in addition to other mighty ancient Scythian warriors who triumphed over the Persians.

The Hungarian troops were galvanised by Álmos’s words, and after the sounding of the battle horns, they clashed with the enemy. Countless Russian and Kun soldiers fell, and their leaders fled all the way to Kiev. Álmos and his troops chased them all the way to the city walls and, as written by Anonymous, “they crushed the Kuns’ bald heads like raw pumpkins.”

After overseeing their victory, Álmos and his men captured the Russians’ land and possessions, and in the second week, they began the siege of Kiev. This was when the enemy sent ambassadors to Álmos. They made peace on Hungarian terms: Álmos requested the sons of Kun and Russian nobles to be held hostage in addition to an annual payment of 10,000 marks.

Previously, we wrote in greater detail about the famous Blood Oath ceremony. We also discussed five Hungarian kings who had extraordinary reigns.

Featured image: Wiki Commons.

Source: 24.hu