Álmos

Álmos was the first leader of the group of Hungarian tribes around the year 850. Some stories say he was the sacred ruler called a kende, while others say he was the military leader called a gyula. This is still a question among historians today.

According to a writer named Constantine Porphyrogenitus, Álmos agreed to follow the rules of a leader from the Khazar people when he first became leader. But after about ten years, the Hungarians started making their own decisions and did not follow the Khazars anymore.

One old book from the 1300s, called the Illuminated Chronicle, tells us that Álmos was killed in a place called Transylvania. This happened at the very start when the Hungarians moved into a big area called the Carpathian Basin, around the year 895.

Ancestry

Further information: Előd, Emese, and Ügyek

Stories from long ago tell us that Álmos, the first leader of the Hungarian tribes, came from an important family. One old story says he was related to Attila the Hun. Another story tells of a special bird, the Turul, that appeared in a dream to his mother before he was born. This bird is important in Hungarian legends.

Álmos was said to be born to a leader named Ügyek and a woman named Emese. The meaning of his name, Álmos, might come from the Hungarian word for "dream," because his mother dreamed of this bird before his birth. Whether his name has a special meaning or not, Álmos grew up to lead his people when they moved to a new home.

Reign

Álmos was, according to old Hungarian stories, chosen by leaders of the seven Hungarian tribes to be their leader. They made promises together in a special way.

Another story from around 950 says that Álmos’s son, Árpád, was the first leader, chosen by a leader named the Khazar khagan. The khagan had suggested a man named Levedi, but Levedi suggested either Álmos or his son Árpád instead. The tribes chose Árpád because they thought he was wiser and better suited to lead.

Historians debate whether Álmos or Árpád was the true first leader. Some believe Álmos was important because of stories connected to his birth. Others think Árpád was chosen to lead, leaving out Álmos’s other children.

Álmos is thought to have led the Hungarian tribes from around 850. The Hungarians became independent around 860 and began raids in Central Europe. Some tribes known as the Kabaroi joined the Hungarians during this time. There are stories of battles led by Álmos against others, such as the Kievan Rus.

Death

Further information: Hungarian conquest of the Carpathian Basin

The Hungarians who lived in the western parts of the Pontic steppes sometimes helped other powers fight in their wars. For example, they invaded Moravia together with Arnulf of East Francia in 892. When they got involved in a fight between the First Bulgarian Empire and the Byzantine Empire, the Bulgars and Pechenegs attacked back. This made the Hungarians leave the Pontic steppes and move through the Carpathians around 895 to find a new home.

According to the Gesta Hungarorum, the Hungarians moved into the Carpathian Basin led by Álmos, who then chose his son, Árpád, to be the new leader. After that, Álmos is not mentioned again. Another story from the Illuminated Chronicle says Álmos could not enter Pannonia because he was killed in Erdelw (Transylvania). Some historians think this might remember a sad event where Álmos was hurt during a big fight with the Pechenegs. Others believe he may have been removed by his own son. Historians often prefer the story from the Gesta Hungarorum, which does not mention Álmos being hurt in Transylvania because the Hungarians are said to have gone around that area when they moved into the Carpathian Basin.

Family

We do not know the name of Álmos's wife. One writer said she was the daughter of a very important prince. Álmos had one known child named Árpád, who took over after Álmos passed away.

The family tree of Álmos and his closest relatives is shown here: