The Translation History of the Gesta Hungarorum

Abstract The Gesta Hungarorum (Deeds of the Hungarians) is an important source for the early history of the Carpathian Basin and, more broadly, of Europe. More than 300 years have passed since the discovery of the Gesta, and debates about the identity of its author and the authenticity of its narrative have continued ever since. Alongside the expansion of scholarly literature, the number of published editions of the text has also increased. Today, numerous transcriptions and translations – both in Hungarian and in other languages – are available to researchers and interested readers. In my opinion, it is among the responsibilities of Hungarian historians and historical linguists to follow the domestic and international reception of our historical sources and linguistic relics. In this paper, undertaking this task, I present the textual and translation history of the Gesta.