Seven chieftains of the Magyars
Encyclopedia
Constantine VII
Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos or Porphyrogenitus, "the Purple-born" was the fourth Emperor of the Macedonian dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, reigning from 913 to 959...
, emperor of the Byzantine Empire
Byzantine Empire
The Byzantine Empire was the Eastern Roman Empire during the periods of Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, centred on the capital of Constantinople. Known simply as the Roman Empire or Romania to its inhabitants and neighbours, the Empire was the direct continuation of the Ancient Roman State...
names the seven tribes in his De Administrando Imperio
De Administrando Imperio
De Administrando Imperio is the Latin title of a Greek work written by the 10th-century Eastern Roman Emperor Constantine VII. The Greek title of the work is...
, a list that can be verified with names of Hungarian settlements. The names of the chieftains, however, is not precisely known, as the chronicles include contradictory lists, some of which had been found to be false.
Chieftains
Constantine VIIConstantine VII
Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos or Porphyrogenitus, "the Purple-born" was the fourth Emperor of the Macedonian dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, reigning from 913 to 959...
does not give the names of the chieftains of the Hungarian tribes, but describes some aspects of the leadership.
According to Anonymus
A Hungarian chronicler known as AnonymusAnonymus (chronicler)
Bele Regis Notarius , most often referred to as Anonymus was the notary and chronicler of a Hungarian King, probably Béla III. Little is known about him, but his latinized name began with P, as he referred to himself as "P...
, author of Gesta Hungarorum
Gesta Hungarorum
Gesta Hungarorum is a record of early Hungarian history by an unknown author who describes himself as Anonymi Bele Regis Notarii , but is generally cited as Anonymus...
, names the seven chieftains as:
- ÁlmosHigh Prince ÁlmosÁlmos , the first Grand Prince of the Magyars . The Gesta Hungarorum records that his father was Ügyek, while the Chronicon Pictum mentions his father as Előd ; his mother was Emese.-Birth:The medieval chronicle recounts the story of his...
, father of ÁrpádÁrpádÁrpád was the second Grand Prince of the Hungarians . Under his rule the Hungarian people settled in the Carpathian basin. The dynasty descending from him ruled the Hungarian tribes and later the Kingdom of Hungary until 1301... - ElődElődElőd was – according to chronicler Anonymus – one of the seven chieftains of the Magyars , who led the Hungarians to the Carpathian Basin in 895. Előd was the chieftain of the Hungarian tribe of the Nyék....
, father of SzabolcsSzabolcsSzabolcs may refer to:*Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg, current administrative unit of Hungary*Szabolcs in Hungary's Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county*Szabolcs , the historical administrative unit of the Kingdom of Hungary... - Kend (Kond, Kund), father of Korcán (Kurszán)KurszánKurszán , the Magyar sacral prince, was a partner ruler besides Árpád till his death. He had a crucial role in the Hungarian Conquest . In 892/893 together with Arnulf of Carinthia he attacked Great Moravia to secure the eastern borders of the Frankish Empire. Arnulf gave him all the captured...
- Ond, father of Ete
- Tas, father of Lél (Lehel)LehelLehel was a Magyar chieftain, one of the brilliant military leaders of prince Taksony of Hungary, the descendant of Árpád. He was one of the most important figures of the Magyar invasions of Europe...
- Huba
- Tétény (Töhötöm), father of HorkaHorkaHorka may refer to:* Horka or harka, a political or military title used by Magyar tribes during the 9th century* Horka, the name of several locations in the Czech Republic...
Most probably all persons on this list were real and significant personalities, but the list, as that of the seven chieftains who started the conquering of the Carpathian Basin, is certainly false. . Constantine VII
Constantine VII
Constantine VII Porphyrogennetos or Porphyrogenitus, "the Purple-born" was the fourth Emperor of the Macedonian dynasty of the Byzantine Empire, reigning from 913 to 959...
names Tas as a grandson of Árpád
Árpád
Árpád was the second Grand Prince of the Hungarians . Under his rule the Hungarian people settled in the Carpathian basin. The dynasty descending from him ruled the Hungarian tribes and later the Kingdom of Hungary until 1301...
. The relations of the early Hungarian leaders are subject of debate between historians.
According to Simon of Kéza
Hungarian chronicler Simon of KézaSimon of Kéza
Simon of Kéza was the most famous Hungarian chronicler in the 13th century. He was a priest in the royal court of king Ladislaus IV of Hungary....
names seven captains who led seven tribes:
- ÁrpádÁrpádÁrpád was the second Grand Prince of the Hungarians . Under his rule the Hungarian people settled in the Carpathian basin. The dynasty descending from him ruled the Hungarian tribes and later the Kingdom of Hungary until 1301...
, son of ÁlmosÁlmosÁlmos was the name of two rulers of Hungary:* High Prince Álmos, father of Árpád, the founder of the state* Prince Álmos, duke of Slavonia and later of Nitra...
, who was the son of ElődElődElőd was – according to chronicler Anonymus – one of the seven chieftains of the Magyars , who led the Hungarians to the Carpathian Basin in 895. Előd was the chieftain of the Hungarian tribe of the Nyék....
, who was the son of ÜgyekÜgyekÜgyek , also known as Ugek, was the legendary father of Álmos, the first High Prince of the Magyars... - SzabolcsSzabolcsSzabolcs may refer to:*Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg, current administrative unit of Hungary*Szabolcs in Hungary's Szabolcs-Szatmár-Bereg county*Szabolcs , the historical administrative unit of the Kingdom of Hungary...
- Gyula
- ÖrsORSORS may refer to:* Ocean Rowing Society* Oculo-respiratory Syndrome* Office of Rehabilitation Services* Office of Recovery Services* Office of Retirement Services* Old Red Sandstone* Olfactory Reference Syndrome* Omnificent Role-playing System...
- KündKundKund is a village and one of the 51 Union Councils of Khushab District in the Punjab Province of Pakistan. It is located at 32°24'40N 72°12'17E.-Location:...
, father of Kusid and Kupian - LélLELLel or LEL may refer to:*Lel , abode of El in the Baal cycle*London–Edinburgh–London, a randonnée bicycle event of approximately *Lower explosive limit, in relation to flammability of gases...
- Vérbulcsú ("Blood-Bulcsú"), whose name's origin is that "his father was killed by Germans in the battle of Krimhild", and for revenge, "he drank the blood of some, like wine".
This list, having more legendary elements, is even less credible than that of Anonymus, only Árpád and Szabolcs match the time of the conquest.