Géza, Grand Prince of the Hungarians: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Grand Prince of the Hungarians from the early 970s to 997}}

'''Geza, grand prince of the Magyars''' (around 972-997) was great-grandson of the Arpad who gave his name to the ruling dynasty. Geza permitted Christian missionaries to come to his country, was baptized in 985, and and permitted his son and successor [[Stephen of Hungary|Stephen]] to be baptized as well.

{{other people||Géza of Hungary (disambiguation){{!}}Géza of Hungary}}

{{Good article}}

{{Infobox royalty

| name =Géza

| image =Geza-ChroniconPictum.jpg

| caption =Depicted in the ''[[Illuminated Chronicle]]''

| succession =[[Grand Prince of the Hungarians]]

| reign =early 970s – 997

| coronation =

| predecessor =[[Taksony of Hungary|Taksony]]

| successor =[[Stephen I of Hungary|Stephen]]

| spouse =[[Sarolt|Sarolt of Transylvania]]<br/>Adelaide (Adleta) of Poland (?)

| issue ={{plainlist|

* [[Judith of Hungary|Judith]]

* Margaret

* [[Stephen I of Hungary]]

* [[Grimelda of Hungary|Grimelda, Dogaressa of Venice]]}}

| house = [[Árpád dynasty]]

| house-type=Dynasty

| father =[[Taksony of Hungary|Taksony]]

| mother =

| birth_date ={{circa}} 940

| birth_place =

| death_date =997

| death_place =

| place of burial=

|}}

'''Géza''' ({{circa}} 940&nbsp;– 997), also '''Gejza''', was [[Grand Prince of the Hungarians]] from the early 970s. He was the son of Grand Prince [[Taksony of Hungary|Taksony]] and his Oriental{{mdash}}[[Khazar]], [[Pecheneg]] or [[Volga Bulgaria]]n{{mdash}}wife. He married [[Sarolt]], a daughter of an [[Eastern Orthodox]] Hungarian chieftain. After ascending the throne, Géza made peace with the [[Holy Roman Empire]]. Within Hungary, he consolidated his authority with extreme cruelty, according to the unanimous narration of nearly contemporaneous sources. He was the first Hungarian monarch to support Christian missionaries from [[Western Europe]]. Although he was baptised (his baptismal name was '''Stephen'''), his Christian faith remained shallow and he continued to perform acts of pagan worship. He was succeeded by his son [[Stephen I of Hungary|Stephen]], who was crowned the first [[King of Hungary]] in 1000 or 1001.

==Early life==

Géza was the elder son of [[Taksony of Hungary|Taksony]], [[Grand Prince of the Hungarians]].{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=26}} His mother was his father's wife "from the land of the Cumans",<ref>''Anonymus, Notary of King Béla: The Deeds of the Hungarians'' (ch. 57), p. 127.</ref> according to the [[Anonymus (notary of Béla III)|anonymous author]] of the ''[[Gesta Hungarorum]]''.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=24}} This anachronistic reference to the [[Cumans]] suggests that she was of [[Khazars|Khazar]], [[Pechenegs|Pecheneg]] or [[Volga Bulgaria]]n origin.{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}} The Byzantine Emperor [[Constantine VII Porphyrogenitus]], who listed the descendants of Grand Prince [[Árpád]] around 950, did not mention Géza.{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}} Even so, [[Gyula Kristó]] wrote that Géza was born around 940 and the emperor ignored him because of his youth.{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}} The genuine form of his name was either "Gyeücsa" or "Gyeusa", which is possibly a diminutive form of the [[Turkic languages|Turkic]] title ''[[yabgu]]''.{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}} Géza's father arranged his marriage with [[Sarolt]]{{mdash}}a daughter of a Hungarian chieftain called [[Gyula II|Gyula]],{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}}{{sfn|Sălăgean|2005|p=150}} who ruled [[Transylvania]] independently of the grand prince{{sfn|Sălăgean|2005|p=150}} and had converted to Christianity in [[Constantinople]].{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=28}} Sarolt seems to have also adhered to [[Eastern Orthodoxy in Hungary|Eastern Orthodox Christianity]], according to [[Bruno of Querfurt]]'s remark on her "languid and muddled Christianity".{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=28}}

==Reign==

Géza succeeded his father around 972.{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}}{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=26}}{{sfn|Molnár|2001|p=26}} He adopted a centralizing policy, which gave rise to his fame as a merciless ruler.{{sfn|Kirschbaum|1995|p=41}}{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=26}} The [[Life of Saint Stephen, King of Hungary (Vita maior)|longer version of his son's ''Life'']] even states that Géza's hands were "defiled with blood".{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=26}} Pál Engel wrote that Géza carried out a "large-scale purge"{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=26}} against his relatives, which explains the lack of references to other members of the [[Árpád dynasty]] from around 972. [[Koppány]], who continued to rule the southern parts of [[Transdanubia]], is the only exception to this dearth of references.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=26}} A [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor#Early years#Heir apparent|marriage alliance]] between the [[Ottonian dynasty|German]] and [[Macedonian dynasty|Byzantine dynasties]] brought about a rapprochement between the two powers neighboring Hungary in 972.{{sfn|Kontler|1999|p=51}} Géza decided to make peace with the [[Holy Roman Empire]].{{sfn|Kirschbaum|1995|p=41}} First, a monk named Bruno sent by [[Otto I, Holy Roman Emperor]] arrived in Hungary around 972.{{sfn|Berend|Laszlovszky|Szakács|2007|p=329}} Hungarian "legates"<ref>''The'' Chronicon ''of Thietmar of Merseburg'' (ch. 2.31), p. 115.</ref> were present at a conference held by the emperor in [[Quedlinburg]] in 973.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=26}}

[[File:Nádasdy Mausoleum - Géza.jpg|thumb|Géza, Grand Prince of Hungary ([[Nádasdy Mausoleum]], 1664)]]

{{Blockquote|Geyza, who was strict and cruel, acting in a domineering way, as it were, with his own people, but compassionate and generous with strangers, especially with Christians, although [he was] still entangled in the rite of paganism. At the approach of the light of spiritual grace, he began to discuss peace attentively with all the neighboring provinces&nbsp;... Moreover, he laid down a rule that the favor of hospitality and security be shown to all Christians wishing to enter his domains. He gave clerics and monks leave to enter his presence; he offered them a willing hearing, and delighted them in the germination of the seed of true faith sown in the garden of his heart.|[[Hartvik|Hartvic]]: ''[[Legenda Hartviciana|Life of King Stephen of Hungary]]''<ref>''Hartvic, Life of King Stephen of Hungary'' (ch. 2), pp.&nbsp;379–380.</ref>}}

[[File:Géza nagyfejedelem szobra (Székesfehérvár).jpg|thumbnail|Statue of Grand Prince Géza in [[Székesfehérvár]]]]

A record on one Bishop Prunwart in the [[Abbey of Saint Gall]] mentions his success in baptising many Hungarians, including their "king".{{sfn|Berend|Laszlovszky|Szakács|2007|p=329}} The nearly contemporaneous [[Thietmar of Merseburg]] confirms that the conversion to Christianity of the pagan Hungarians started under Géza,{{sfn|Berend|Laszlovszky|Szakács|2007|p=331}} who became the first Christian ruler of Hungary.{{sfn|Kontler|1999|p=51}} His baptismal name was Stephen.{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}} However, Géza continued to observe pagan cults, which proves that his conversion to Christianity was never complete.{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=27}} Kristó and other historians have said that the first Roman Catholic diocese in Hungary, [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Veszprém|with its seat in Veszprém]], was set up in Géza's reign,{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}} but their view has not been unanimously accepted.{{sfn|Berend|Laszlovszky|Szakács|2007|pp=350–351}}{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=42}} A charter issued during his son's reign states that Géza was the founder of the [[Benedictines|Benedictine]] [[Pannonhalma Archabbey]].{{sfn|Berend|Laszlovszky|Szakács|2007|p=352}}{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=43}}

{{Quote|[Géza] was very cruel and killed many people because of his quick temper. When he became a Christian, however, he turned his rage against his reluctant subjects, in order to strengthen this faith. Thus, glowing with zeal for God, he washed away his old crimes. He sacrificed both to the omnipotent God and to various false gods. When reproached by his priest for doing so, however, he maintained that the practice had brought him both wealth and great power.|[[Thietmar of Merseburg]]: ''Chronicum''<ref>''The'' Chronicon ''of Thietmar of Merseburg'' (ch. 8.4), p. 364.</ref>}}

/Talk

Taking advantage of [[Otto II, Holy Roman Emperor#Reign as emperor#Coronation and domestic strife|internal conflicts]] which emerged in the Holy Roman Empire after Emperor Otto II's death, Géza invaded [[Bavaria]] and took the fortress of [[Melk]] in 983.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=30}} In 991, the Bavarians launched a counter-attack which forced Géza to withdraw Hungarian forces from the territories east of the [[Vienna Woods]].{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=30}} Furthermore, he renounced the lands east of the river [[Leitha]] in his peace treaty of 996 with [[Henry II, Holy Roman Emperor|Henry IV of Bavaria]].{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=26}} Géza also arranged the marriage of his son and heir Stephen to Henry IV's sister [[Giselle of Bavaria|Giselle]].{{sfn|Engel|2001|p=26}}{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}} Even before this marriage alliance, Géza convoked the Hungarian leaders to an assembly and forced them to take an oath confirming his son's right to succeed him.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=33}}

==Family==

Sarolt gave birth to at least three of Géza's children: Stephen, who succeeded his father on the throne, and two unnamed daughters.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=29}} Sarolt survived Géza, which suggests that she was also the mother of Géza's daughters.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=29}} Based on the ''[[Polish-Hungarian Chronicle]]'',{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=29}}{{sfn|Macartney|1953|p=175}} Szabolcs de Vajay wrote that the daughters' mother was Géza's alleged second wife Adelaide of Poland, but this has not been widely accepted.{{sfn|Kristó|1994|p=235}} Adelaide is only mentioned in the ''[[Polish–Hungarian Chronicle]]'', which describes her as the sister of [[Mieszko I of Poland]], but specialists have often questioned her existence.{{sfn|Homza|2017|pp=22–25}} The chronicle attributes Géza's conversion to Adelaide's influence.{{sfn|Homza|2017|pp=22–24}}

The following family tree presents Géza's ancestry and his offspring.{{sfn|Kristó|Makk|1996|p=Appendices 1–2}}

{{tree chart/start |summary=Árpád's family}}

{{tree chart | | | | | ÁRP | | MÉN | ÁRP=[[Árpád]]|MÉN=[[Menumorut]]*}}

{{tree chart | | | | | |!| | | |!|}}

{{tree chart | | | | | ZOL |y| AN1| ZOL=[[Zoltán of Hungary|Zoltán]]|AN1=''daughter''}}

{{tree chart | | | | | | | |!| }}

{{tree chart | | | | | | |TAK|y| AN2| TAK=[[Taksony of Hungary]] | AN2=a "Cuman" lady**}}

{{tree chart | | | | | | | | | |!| }}

{{tree chart | | | | | |,|-|-|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.|}}

{{tree chart | SAR |y|GÉZ | | | | | | | | | | | | | MIC | SAR=[[Sarolt]]|GÉZ='''Géza'''|MIC=[[Michael of Hungary|Michael]]|boxstyle_GÉZ = background-color: #d0e5f5}}

{{tree chart | |,|-|^|-|-|-|-|-|v|border=0|ONE| | | | | | | |!| ONE=(1)}}

{{tree chart | AN1 |~| BOL | | AN2 |~| GAV | | | | | KO2 | AN1=''[[Judith of Hungary|daughter (Judith?)]]''|BOL=[[Boleslaus I of Poland]]|AN2=''daughter''|GAV=[[Gavril Radomir of Bulgaria]]|KO2=[[Kings of Hungary family tree|Kings of Hungary]]<br>(from 1046)}}

{{tree chart | | | | | | }}

{{tree chart | | | | | | }}

{{tree chart |border=0| | |ONE|v|-|-|-|v|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|-|.| ONE=(1)}}

{{tree chart |GIS|y|STE| |AN3|y|OTT| |AN4|y|SAM| AN1=''[[Judith of Hungary|daughter]]''|BOL=[[Boleslaus I of Poland]]|AN2=''daughter''|GAV=[[Gavril Radomir of Bulgaria]]|STE=[[Stephen I of Hungary]]|GIS=[[Giselle of Bavaria]]|AN3=''[[Grimelda of Hungary|daughter]]''|OTT=Doge [[Otto Orseolo]]|AN4=''daughter''|SAM=[[Samuel Aba, King of Hungary|Samuel of Hungary]]***}}

{{tree chart | | | |!| | | | | | | |)|-|-|-|.| | | |!| |}}

{{tree chart | | | EME | | ADA |~| FRO | | PET| | ISS | EME=[[Saint Emeric of Hungary|Emeric]]|ADA=[[Adalbert of Austria]]|FRO=[[Frozza Orseolo|Frowila]]|PET=[[Peter Orseolo|Peter of Hungary]]|ISS=''Issue''****}}

{{tree chart/end}}

''*Whether Menumorut is an actual or an invented person is debated by modern scholars.''<br>''**A Khazar or Pecheneg lady.''<br>''***Samuel Aba might have been Géza's grandson instead of his son-in-law.''<br>''****The [[Aba (genus)|Aba family]] descending from them still flourished in the 14th century.''

==References==

{{Reflist}}

==Sources==

===Primary sources===

{{Refbegin}}

*''Hartvic, Life of King Stephen of Hungary'' (Translated by Nora Berend) (2001). In: Head, Thomas (2001); ''Medieval Hagiography: An Anthology''; Routledge; {{ISBN|0-415-93753-1}}.

*''Ottonian Germany: The'' Chronicon ''of Thietmar of Merseburg'' (Translated and annotated by David A. Warner) (2001). Manchester University Press. {{ISBN|0-7190-4926-1}}.

{{Refend}}

===Secondary sources===

{{Refbegin}}

*{{cite book |last1=Berend |first1=Nora |last2=Laszlovszky |first2=József |last3=Szakács |first3=Béla Zsolt |editor-last=Berend |editor-first=Nora | title=Christianization and the Rise of Christian Monarchy: Scandinavia, Central Europe and Rus','' c. ''900-1200 |url=https://archive.org/details/christianization00bere |url-access=limited |publisher=Cambridge University Press |year=2007 |pages=[https://archive.org/details/christianization00bere/page/n334 319]–368 |chapter=The kingdom of Hungary |isbn=978-0-521-87616-2 }}

*{{cite book |last=Engel |first=Pál |year=2001 |title=The Realm of St Stephen: A History of Medieval Hungary, 895–1526 |publisher=I.B. Tauris Publishers |isbn=1-86064-061-3 }}

*{{cite book |last=Homza |first=Martin |year=2017 |title=Mulieres suadentes - Persuasive Women: Female Royal Saints in Medieval East Central and Eastern Europe |publisher=BRILL |isbn=978-90-04-31466-5 }}

*{{cite book |last=Kirschbaum |first=Stanislav J. |year=1995 |title=A History of Slovakia: The Struggle for Survival |publisher=Palgrave Macmillan |isbn=963-482-113-8 }}

*{{cite book |last=Kontler |first=László |year=1999 |title=Millennium in Central Europe: A History of Hungary |publisher=Atlantisz Publishing House |isbn=963-9165-37-9 }}

*{{Cite book |last1=Kristó |first1=Gyula |last2=Makk |first2=Ferenc |year=1996 |title=Az Árpád-ház uralkodói ''[=Rulers of the House of Árpád]''|publisher=I.P.C. Könyvek | isbn=963-7930-97-3|language=hu}}

*{{cite book |last=Kristó |first=Gyula |editor1-last=Kristó |editor1-first=Gyula |editor2-last=Engel |editor2-first=Pál |editor3-last=Makk |editor3-first=Ferenc | title=Korai magyar történeti lexikon (9–14. század) ''[=Encyclopedia of the Early Hungarian History (9th-14th centuries)]'' |publisher=Akadémiai Kiadó |year=1994 |page=235 |chapter=Géza |isbn=963-05-6722-9|language=hu}}

*{{Cite book |last=Macartney |first=C. A. |year=1953 |title=The Medieval Hungarian Historians: A Critical & Analytical Guide |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-08051-4}}

*{{cite book |last=Molnár |first=Miklós |year=2001 |title=A Concise History of Hungary |url=https://archive.org/details/concisehistoryof00moln |url-access=registration |publisher=Cambridge University Press |isbn=978-0-521-66736-4 }}

*{{cite book |last=Sălăgean |first=Tudor |editor1-last=Pop|editor1-first=Ioan-Aurel |editor2-last=Bolovan |editor2-first=Ioan | title=History of Romania: Compendium |publisher=Romanian Cultural Institute (Center for Transylvanian Studies) |year=2005 |pages=133–207 |chapter=Romanian Society in the Early Middle Ages (9th&ndash;14th&nbsp;Centuries&nbsp;AD) |isbn=978-973-7784-12-4}}

{{Refend}}

{{commons category|Géza of Hungary}}

{{S-start}}

{{s-hou|[[House of Árpád]]| |{{circa}} 940| |997}}

{{s-reg}}

|-

{{s-bef|before=[[Taksony of Hungary|Taksony]]}}

{{s-ttl|title=[[Grand Prince of the Hungarians]]|years=early 970s&nbsp;– 997}}

{{s-aft|after=[[Stephen I of Hungary|Stephen I]] (Vajk)}}

{{S-end}}

{{Hungarian kings}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Geza Of Hungary}}

[[Category:940s births]]

[[Category:997 deaths]]

[[Category:10th-century Hungarian monarchs]]

[[Category:House of Árpád]]

[[Category:Converts to Christianity from pagan religions]]