Acta Historica (Szeged)

Felekezeti határokon innen és túl: Félicité Lamennais és Samuel Vincent polémiája az 1820-as években

2026-02-10T11:09:58+01:00

The confessional debate between Catholics and Protestants is still alive in France after the Restauration of the Monarchy in 1815, although its stakes had been transformed since the 16th and 17th century. In his Essai published in 1817, the catholic Félicité Lamennais not only reiterates some well-known traditional anti-protestant arguments, but comes up with new ones as well, more up-to-date to the century. The young reformed preacher, Samuel Vincent, replies in style.

Antikommunista ellenállás és koncepciós perek Mezőberényben az 1950-es években

2026-02-10T11:31:14+01:00

Mezőberény is an agrarian town in the Great Hungarian Plain. Its predominantly peasant popula-tion suffered severely during the Stalinist mass terror. Not only the wealthier farmers – the so-called kulaks – but also small peasants were often put on trial. Like in other settlements of Békés county, a resistance group was formed also in Mezőberény. Its members did not create an anti-state conspiracy; they were only planning what to do in the event of a regime change. Nevertheless, they were given heavy prison sentences. Although they were freed by the autumn of 1956, almost none of them took part in the revolution that soon broke out. The events of the revolution were calm, without any casualties. Therefore, the retaliation was also mild.

Katonaveszteségek a népszámlálás hasábjain

2026-02-10T11:47:03+01:00

Over the five years of the Great War, it was rare for any family to remain unaffected by the challenges of wartime care. During the Great War, data on the country’s military losses gradually became available, but no records were kept of how many people were affected by the institution of war care. After World War I, the census conducted in Hungary in 1920 provided an opportunity to collect data on casualties (wounded, prisoners of war) and war invalids. This paper aims to show how data was collected during the census and how we should approach these sources critically. The source is presented and analysed using data from Békés County.

A magyar és német civil szervezetek kulturális és szociális szerepe a Vajdaságban, 1918–1929

2026-02-10T12:51:01+01:00

In this thesis, the operational background of the ethnic Hungarian and German associations in Vojvodina will be examined, with particular emphasis placed on the activities of the leading cultural organizations (Népkör, the Hungarian Cultural Association in Nagybecskerek, and the Kulturbund) during the period 1918–1929. The principal demographic characteristics of the two communities will first be outlined. Subsequently, the objectives of the major associations and the cultural and social activities undertaken by them will be discussed. Particular attention is given to the vibrant social life of the ethnic Hungarian and German minorities, and their defining features are highlighted. For the purposes of this research, archival materials from Belgrade, Novi Sad, and Budapest, as well as press sources and relevant historical literature, have been utilized.

Bonaparte Napóleon, Gáleb emír és a britek

2026-02-10T13:01:55+01:00

During his campaign in Egypt in 1798, Napoleon Bonaparte contacted the Sharif of Mecca, Islam’s holiest city, the Emir Ghalib, with whom he exchanged several letters and tried to convince him of his goodwill. The contact and the emerging Mecca-French trade did not, of course, escape the attention of the British, who were keen to dissuade Ghalib from cooperating with the French. In this paper, I attempt to reconstruct, on the basis of a few sources, this British-French rivalry in the Red Sea region, in which Mecca played no small part.

Hiba-e az, ha egy evangélikus pap szabadkőműves?

2026-02-10T13:48:48+01:00

In Hungary, at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries there were several different views in the Lutheran Church about Freemasonry. There were Lutheran believers and church officials who sympathized with this society or were even members of it. Others were critical of the Freemasons, or were indifferent to them. In 1911, a debate broke out among Lutherans of different opinions about whether their ministers could be Freemasons. Some thought it was possible for pas-tors to be Freemasons, while others sharply rejected it. Some demanded that church laws should be passed to prohibit officials of the religious community from joining the Freemasons. However, liberal-minded Lutherans managed to prevent such a prohibitive measure in their church.

György József a Nagy Háború forgatagában

2026-02-10T14:00:09+01:00

This study examines the unique career of József György, an Austro-Hungarian reserve lieutenant who, after being captured as a POW in Russia during WWI, became a key engineer for Emir Amanullah Khan’s modernization efforts in Afghanistan. The paper addresses his political allegiances, arguing for a likely collaboration with the Bolsheviks, and questions the reliability of his own memoir by revealing contradictions through source criticism. György’s microhistory offers insight into the complex fates of POWs in Central Asia and Afghanistan's turbulent path to modernity.

Járt-e Gyulán Dózsa György?

2026-02-10T14:15:42+01:00

This study compares the chapter of the rebellion of 1514 written by George of Syrmia around the middle of the 16th century with documents written shortly after the uprising. Taking these sources into account, it is likely that the rebels really did march on the road described by George of Syrmia, i. e. through Békés County. However, it is doubtful whether the leader of the rebels – George Dózsa – visited Gyula. It is possible that he only sent a troop against the town. The study gives an overview of a bondmen family that lived around 1514.

Onomasia és nominatio a Kr. u. 3. századi Egyiptomban

2026-02-10T14:32:47+01:00

From the beginning of the 3rd century AD onwards, the Latin term nominatio in the Digest and the Codices no longer referred solely to the nomination of candidates for office but also came to denote the actual election or appointment (creatio). In this study, I examine whether the same shift in meaning can be observed in 3rd-century AD Egypt about the Greek counterpart of nominatio, that is onomasia, whose original meaning also referred to the nomination of a candidate. Based on the relevant papyri, it appears that onomasia could – and did – refer to the entire electoral process, that is, the appointment.

A Római Birodalom gazdasági stratégiája a közel-keleti tartományokban, különös tekintettel az adózási viszonyokra

2026-02-10T14:43:39+01:00

The economic situation in the Middle Eastern provinces of the Roman Empire presents an exceptionally intriguing picture. This is no coincidence, as even before the arrival of the Romans, this region had already been dominated by two major state formations: the Persian Empire and Alexander the Great’s Empire. Owing to the economic influence of these two great conquering powers, vibrant trade occurred both locally and over long distances. After conquering this area, the Roman Empire applied the same strategy it had used in previously subdued provinces: using the agricultural lands acquired through the conquest of Middle Eastern regions, redistributing confiscated wealth, and filling the state treasury with newly imposed, various types of taxes. In my lecture, through the processing and analysis of sources and case studies, I aim to present the differing effects of the Roman mechanism on the local economy, with particular emphasis on the commercial sector and the types of taxes levied on it. Then, in light of the available data, I will show what elements of local micro-economies formed part of the empire’s overall economy. Furthermore, I will examine how formerly influential economic families, such as the Hasmoneans, sought to retain their power within the new empire through diplomatic means.

Barnabás, a „légből kapott” Anonymus

2026-02-10T14:53:57+01:00

The identity of King Béla’s notary, the Hungarian Anonymous, has long been a controversial issue. I recommended earlier the person of Barnabas, who was actually a royal notary and used in his charters precisely the expressions that are very typical of Anonymous’s Gesta Hungarorum. The political ideas and events of his time, the reign of Géza II, are well reflected in the Gesta. My suggestion sparked controversy, because Anonymous claims himself to be the notary of King Béla, not the notary of Géza. I explained this contradiction by the high importance of King Béla in Anonymous’s political vision. Its aim is to support the legitimacy of the younger branch of the House of Árpád, the descendants of duke Álmos. This explains the highlighting of King Béla and his father, duke Álmos, who bears the name of the first Hungarian prince. The article presents in detail the other individuals suggested by the research, and the much more and stronger arguments supporting the identity of Barnabas.

Megjegyzések a Cerealia alapításának körülményeihez

2026-02-10T15:02:17+01:00

The Cerealia was one of the most significant spring festivals of the Romans, symbolizing the rebirth of nature. On this occasion, a rather peculiar ritual was performed: foxes with burning torches fastened to their tails were released to run across the arena of the Circus Maximus. In the present study, however, our focus is not on this extraordinary sacrificial act, but rather on the founder of the festival itself and the circumstances and social dimensions of its foundation. Particular attention will be devoted to the war against Carthage and to the social tensions prevailing at the time of the festival’s establishment, which justified the institution of a celebration dedicated to a plebeian deity. In this regard, it is essential to examine certain aspects of the plebeian–patrician conflict, as well as the position of the homines novi within Roman society.

Hiteleshelyek, királyi emberek, ügyvédek (2. rész)

2026-02-10T15:25:24+01:00

This study analyses how the Hungarian justice system functioned in the late Middle Ages. The author primarily aims to answer the question of how complaints were submitted to the royal courts. Was it compulsory to submit them in written form? In which cases might it have been obligatory for the plaintiff to ad-dress the monarch directly, having the complaint drawn up in the form of a supplicatio? The appendix to this article contains a petition addressed to King Wladislaw II by noblemen of the County of Szatmár, requesting that the county magistrates be summoned to appear before the king. Previous research has made it clear that the administration of the royal chancellery and the central courts during the Jagiellonian period was much more formalised and professional than in the earlier decades of the 15th century. Nevertheless, the uniqueness of the petition does not suggest an established practice; rather, it suggests that only complaints belonging to “the king’s most personal jurisdiction” were to be presented to the king in the form of a supplicatio.

Az Ullmann család áttérési esetei és azok megítélése

2026-02-10T15:45:01+01:00

In Modern Ages Hungary, the state’s granting of emancipation and reception rights, and the schism that followed the Jewish universal assembly of 1868, resulted in both neologs and orthodox members fighting religious alienation. The final stage of religious alienation was the abandonment of the Jewish faith. Although the change of religion was based on individual choice, it became a communal matter. In this paper, we will try to show why the story of the Ullmann family’s apostasy became a topos in the collective memory of Jewry and how it relates to the shaping of the identity consciousness of Hungarian Jewry in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Kelet-Európa nomád népei a Régmúlt Idők Elbeszélésében III.

2026-02-11T08:05:29+01:00

The Russian Primary Chronicle has a few records on the Torks that is Oghuzes. The character of the reports and the valuation of the chroniclers are similar to the passages on the Pechenegs. In generally, the Torks belong to the civilization of the barbarians but around 1100 they do not endanger the Rus’, moreover a part of them was vassal of the Russian princes. The chronicle has plenty of reports on the Polovtsians that is the Cumans. They were current enemies of the Rus’, so the passages and comments on the Polovtsians are the most negative in the chronicle. The authors emphasize the bar-barian “pagan” character of the Polovtsians and include them into the group of the peoples of Antichrist. The reports on the Polovtsian–Rus’ conflicts reflect the typical medieval mentality. The raids of the Polovtsians against the Rus’ are punishments of the God. After the victorious campaigns of Vladimir Monomakh the character of the records became more optimistic.

A denderai zodiákusok

2026-02-11T08:35:38+01:00

The monumental zodiacs in the Dendera temple, dating from the second half of the 1st century BCE and the first half of the 1st century CE, show on the one hand traditional Egyptian celestial images, and on the other the twelve zodiacal constellations that originated from Mesopotamia and spread all over the Hellenistic world. The arrangement and design of the images reflect some astrological concepts, but also relate to the astral story of Osiris and his family, and point to celestial events that marked the rebirth of Osiris, and the conception and birth of his son, Horus.

Az 1912-es rákosmezei repülőnap

2026-02-11T09:16:34+01:00

Conquering the skies has always fascinated mankind. At the beginning of the 20th century, a flying fever swept over the world, and experiments began in every country. This was also the case in Hungary. Hangars were erected at the Rákosmező airfield and experiments began, with varying degrees of success. The aim of this study is to present the 1912 air show, which was the first of its kind in Hungary and established the tradition of air shows.

Leszámolás Montepulcianóban (1369)

2026-02-11T09:03:12+01:00

The Tuscan city of Montepulciano fell within the sphere of Siena in the 14th century. Due to its location, it was considered a key settlement, as it was possible to control the routes between Siena and Perugia, as well as Siena and Orvieto, from there. The involved municipalities, according to their current interests, sought to have city leaders who represented their interests alternate in the leadership of Montepul-ciano. However, a political upheaval occurred in 1368: the lord of the city, Messer Iacopo, was lynched. In my study, I will present the parties that defined Montepulciano’s internal politics, whose struggle was significantly influenced by the competition of regional powers. I will outline the characteristics of political murders and vendettas of the time, in the light of which I will examine the circumstances of Messer Iacopo’s death.

Apollo Mars forumán

2026-02-11T09:23:39+01:00

The study analyzes the iconography of the forum of Augustus from new aspects. It can be stated, that Apollo stands right on the middle axis, which separates the different functions of the forum (cult, public administration) and its propagan-distic message (war, peace, a new golden age). Apollo raises Augustus among the divine descendants and the new founders of the state. The second method is the re-interpretation of decorative elements and iconographic motifs. The botanical elements refer to the presence of many gods. The multilayered floral ornament and stylized motifs created the “numen mixtum” phenomenon. It can be connected not with the syncretism of Augustan ideology, but rather with the “concordia deorum.” It can be concluded, that the prevailing notions are the foundation of a new city and the golden age in the iconography of the temple dedicated to Mars Ultor. Mars is represented not as a god of war, but rather as Mars Pater, and the most important symbols of the whole architectural complex can be connected to the figure of Apollo.

„Jókait, az írót megilleti a jutalom, mint politikust nem”

2026-02-11T09:34:15+01:00

In my study, I examine caricatures from comic papers (Az Üstökös, Bolond Miska, Borsszem Jankó, Bolond Istók, Kakas Márton), in which Mór Jókai appeared as a main or supporting character. The aim of the study is to show how the comic papers presented Jókai as a politician, how they reflected on his diverse activities in parlia-ment and in the delegations. Jókai’s bad political image, characterised by his following of Kálmán Tisza and his servile availability to the Liberal Party, may have been generated, but was certainly reinforced, by the caricatures, which emphasised this feature from the beginning of his political career.

A Moszkvai Társaság 1612–1613-as protektorátusi terve mögött meghúzódó motivációk

2026-02-11T09:49:22+01:00

The planned establishment of a protectorate over North Russia in 1612–1613 represents a significant yet often overlooked episode in the history of Anglo–Russian relations. This paper revisits the previous studies on the protectorate plan focusing on the reasons behind this ambitious but ultimately unrealistic plan. I examine the economic, political and religious reasons behind the creation of the plan which are more or less mentioned in previous scholarly works. In addition to the existing reasons, in this paper I assume that the main reason behind the creation of the protectorate plan was the importance of Russia as a transit country for the Persian and Indian trade and as a starting point for further English expeditions.

„Az fogoly Bégök ennyit késvén”

2026-02-11T10:01:55+01:00

The study treats two beys (Hasan and Mahmud) captured at the battle of Kacorlak (August 1587). This issue was connected with the sending of annual honorary present (30,000 ducats) to the Porte which Emperor Rudolph stopped. The peace treaty was renewed in November 1590, but the two beys were not released. Due to the attacks of the Bosnian Hasan Pasha, the sending of the annual tribute and the liberation of the two beys meant serious problems again. Grand Vezier Sinan Pasha demanded both, but the defeat of Hasan Pasha at Sisek (June 22, 1593) became the casus belli. The Long War between the Ottoman and Habsburg Empires in Hungary started in July 1593.

Szilágyi Ferenc kolozsvári végnapjai

2026-02-11T10:24:35+01:00

Our study summarizes the dismissal of Ferenc Szilágyi from the Reformed College of Kolozsvár in 1848. Szilágyi was a talented teacher and historian and also a conservative journalist who advocated liberal reforms within the Reformed Church. He was in conflict with both his students and his colleagues at the Cluj Reformed College before the revolution 1848. Szilágyi, caught between two fires, was removed from his post for reasons of church politics and politics, but it is characteristic that he even tried to reconcile with his radical opponents. After regaining political support in 1849, he reinstated himself, but despite his promises, he never returned to the cathedra in Kolozsvár.

A genocídium mérhetősége

2026-02-11T10:38:08+01:00

This paper examines cases of colonial violence in Africa between 1870 and 1918, with particular emphasis on the extent to which these events correspond to the concept of genocide as defined in international law. The methodological basis of the analysis is operationalization, which translates the definition of the Genocide Convention into measurable indicators. Seven indicators were identified during the study (e.g., death toll, intensity, geographical extent, organization, method of execution, international reaction), which made it possible to compare the severity of massacres and genocides. The historical overview discusses four prominent cases: the exploitation of the Congo Free State by the Belgians, the violence against the civilian population during the Second Anglo-Boer War, German colonial action against the Herero and Nama peoples in South West Africa, and the Maji Maji uprising in German East Africa and its suppression. According to the results of the operationalization, all four cases fall into the “severe” category, while the events in the Congo Free State and German South West Africa approached the “critical” level. Based on the threshold values, the massacres against the Herero and Nama in particular best meet the criteria for genocide in the legal sense. The study points out that colonial violence took on dimensions comparable to those of genocide. The study of these cases not only contributes to the understanding of the historical past, but also to the clarification of the scientific and legal definition of genocide, thus providing important lessons for the interpretation of present and future conflicts.