The Hungarian policy of regularly attacking their neighbours was stopped by prince Géza in the second half of the X. century. He realized that in the interest of the long-term survival of the nation, Hungarians have to adapt Western standards. His work was finished by his son István, the first Hungarian king. István ruled Hungary between 997 and 1038. He converted Hungarians to Christianity (for which he was later canonized by the church) and created a strong feudal state (see map).