Matej Bel -Magnum Decus Hungariae

Alexandra Bitušíková

30 August 2016

From the history of Slovakia

• The Slovak Republic established on 1 January 1993 after the velvet split ofCzechoslovakia

• What was before?• The Celts – first population in the territory of Slovakia (written docs – 400

BC), followed by the Romans and Germanic tribes• New migrations after 4th century AC: the Huns and the Slavs (a number of

Slavic tribes with their languages and dialects)• 833-907 – Great Moravia (the first –Western- Slavic state)• 863 - Byzantine Christian missionaries Saints Cyril and Methodius came to

Great Moravia - they developed the first Slavic alphabet and translated the Gospel into the Old Church Slavonic language – a MILESTONE

• 10th century – Hungarian tribes (Magyars) invaded the Pannonian basin• The territory of Slovakia – progressively integrated into the developing

Kingdom of Hungary (from the 10th to 20th century)

Matej Bel - Funtík: the Journey fromOčová to the Emperor´s Court

• Matej Bel – Funtík: born in 1684 in a rural family(father – peasant and butcher) in Očová (a village 15 km from Banska Bystrica-BB)

• Simple family conditions and poor health did notpromise great future for Matej

• He studied in several Slovak cities and graduated firstfrom a Protestant Lyceum in BB

• The Protestant (Lutheran) Church noticed Matej´sintellectual abilities and sent him to study philosophyand theology in Halle. In addition to these subjects, Matej studied also sciences (physics, chemistry) and languages (Latin, Hebrew, Greek).

The Halle period

• Because of good references, Matej became a protege of August Herman Francke, a greatintellectual, representative of pietism – a movement in Protestant church - who wasinterested in restoration of church, reform ofnation, evangelisation of the world, socialinterest in others. He was a founder of manyorphanages. Matej followed these ideas and also became teacher of Francke´s son.

The Banská Bystrica period(1708-1714)

• After studies in Halle, in 1708 Matej Bel returned to Banská Bystrica and became the Vice-Principle and soon the Principle of the Lyceum(Grammar School) and the key priest (he preached in Slovak and in German).

• In BB, Matej married Zuzana Hermanová (8 children, 3 died young)

• He taught: theology, philosophy, languages (8 languages), physics, botany, zoology, geography, history, meteorology, maths, music, practical skills) – thanks to Bel, the BB Protestant Lyceum becameone of the best schools in the Kingdon of Hungary.

• However, Bel had to face many enemies and attacks from the sideof jesuits and anti-pietists, and for these reasons he accepted theinvitation to become Rector of the Protestant Lyceum in Bratislava (1714).

The Bratislava period (1714-1749)

• During this period, Bel contributed to modernisation of pedagogy (new principles ofteaching methods and discipline) – hepublished a number of textbooks in pedagogy, rhetorics, geography, German grammar, Latingrammar, Hungarian grammar etc.).

• In Bratislava, Bel reached top of his scientificcareer. Bratislava was then a multicultural city with a lot resources to offer.

Bel and science

• Since 1722, Bel publishes a scientific newspaperNova Posoniensia, the first regular newspaper in the kingdom. Bel published findings of hisbiological and philological research there in linewith the latest European trends (scientific reportsof all kinds, info about political developments).

• Bel´s main goal was a project of nationalgeography of the Kingdom of Hungary. The most important work: Notitia Hungariae novaehistorico-geographica – 4 volumes in 1734 –1742.

Notitia

• The publication contains very detailed information abouthistory, geography, demography, ethnography, economy, culture etc. in 10 districts (commitatus) of the Slovak part of the Kingdom of Hungary (info about towns and cities, noble families, institutions, castles, occupation of thepeople, customs and culture etc.). Bel prepared alsoadditional volumes about the districts in the wholeHungarian Monarchy, but they remained unpublished and were later damaged.

• In addition to Notitia, Bel published several other booksdedicated to history or geography in Hungarian Monarchy.

• In all his books, Bel always showed his patriotism - heemphasised an ancient origin of the Slovaks and admiredtheir rich language.

Recognition

• For his achievements, Matej Bel (Bél Mátyás, Matthias Bel or Matthias Belius) became a honorary member of several scientific societies(Royal Society London; Berlin; Sankt Peterburg).

• The Emperor Charles VI invited Bel several timesto the Court, financed his publications, made himthe historian of the Court and awarded him as a nobleman. The pope Clement XII awared Bel a Golden Medal.

Magnum decus Hungariae

• Matej Bel was considered already during his lifeone of the greatest scientists in Europe, a polyhistorian with broad and varied knowledge. He was called „magnum decus Hungariae“ – theGreat Ornament of Hungary“.

• Bel considered himself: "lingua Slavus, nationeHungarus, eruditione Germanus„ (the Slovak/ Slavic by language, the Hungarian by nation and the German by education).

• Matej Bel died suddenly on 29 August 1749 on his way from Germany to Bratislava.

Lessons learned?

• Is it possible (and how) to identify the impact of „greatminds“ on the success of the city/ region/ nation?

• Do we know enough about – for instance on:

- background of the development of great minds(social, cultural, economic, political, gender, and othercapital)

- how to develop/ support/ and use the power of greatminds of today? (a new mode of governance, role models, etc. ?)

ĎAKUJEM

THANK YOU VERY MUCH