Álmos

Álmos was the first leader of the Hungarian tribes around the year 850. Some stories say he was a special ruler called a kende, while others say he was a military leader called a gyula. Historians are still not sure which one he was.

According to a writer named Constantine Porphyrogenitus, Álmos agreed to follow some rules set by a leader from the Khazar people when he first became leader. But after about ten years, the Hungarians began making their own choices and stopped following the Khazars.

One old book from the 1300s, called the Illuminated Chronicle, says that Álmos was killed in a place called Transylvania. This happened when the Hungarians first moved into a large area known as the Carpathian Basin, around the year 895.

Ancestry

Further information: Előd, Emese, and Ügyek

Long ago, stories say that Álmos, the first leader of the Hungarian tribes, came from an important family. One story says he was related to Attila the Hun. Another story talks about 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. His name, Álmos, might mean "dream" in Hungarian, because his mother dreamed of the bird before he was born. 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.

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. They invaded Moravia together with Arnulf of East Francia in 892.

Later, the Bulgars and Pechenegs attacked them. 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. He 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. Some historians think he may have been hurt during a fight. Others believe he may have been removed by his son. Historians often prefer the story from the Gesta Hungarorum.

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: