prehungarian

Pre-Hungarian refers to the period of history in the Carpathian Basin before the arrival of the Hungarian people and the establishment of the Kingdom of Hungary. This vast geographical region, roughly corresponding to modern-day Hungary and surrounding territories, was inhabited by various groups and empires over millennia. Before the Magyar conquest in the late 9th century, the area was part of or influenced by significant powers.

The earliest known inhabitants included various tribal societies and cultures, such as the Celts, Dacians, and later the Romans. The Roman Empire established the province of Pannonia in the western part of the basin, leaving behind substantial infrastructure and cultural influences. Following the decline of Roman power, the region was occupied by Germanic tribes, including the Goths, Vandals, and Lombards. The Huns, led by Attila, also established a powerful empire in the basin in the 5th century, leaving their mark on the region's history and landscape.

In the 6th century, the Avars arrived and established a powerful khanate that dominated the Carpathian Basin for over two centuries. Their presence significantly shaped the political and demographic landscape. Slavic peoples also began to migrate into the region during this period, forming various principalities and interacting with the existing populations and rulers. The Frankish Empire under Charlemagne eventually defeated the Avar Khaganate in the late 8th and early 9th centuries, briefly incorporating parts of the region into their vast dominion. It was in this ethnically and politically complex environment that the Hungarian tribes arrived, ushering in a new era and forming the foundation of the future Hungarian state.