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: