African Kingdoms

Kingdom of Dongola / Makuria
AD 543 - 1314

The Kingdom of Dongola is by far the best known of the Nubian states, but it still contains gaps. It was located in modern Northern Sudan and Southern Egypt. It was one of a group of Nubian kingdoms that emerged in the centuries after the fall of the Kushite Kingdom which had dominated the region from 785 BC to AD 350.

Makuria originally covered the area along the Nile River from the Third Cataract to somewhere between the Fifth and Sixth Cataracts. It also had control over the trade routes, mines, and oases to the east and west. Its capital was Dongola (or Dunqulah), by which name the kingdom seems to be better known.

Note that dates are quite uncertain for most Makurian rulers.

c.590

The kingdom converts to Christianity. After the work of the missionaries is concluded, the kingdom sinks back into obscurity, and only re-emerges in the seventh century.

639

Egypt is conquered by Islamic armies and Nubia is cut off from the rest of Christianity.

652

An invading Islamic army is repulsed and a treaty (the baqt) is signed which ensures the peace until the thirteenth century. Around the same time, Dongola expands to annexe its northern neighbour, Nobatia. The use of the name of the Kingdom of Makuria and Nobatia at some points after this may imply the creation of a dual monarchy.

c.697 - c.722

Merkurios

c.722 - ?

Zacharias I

Simon

c.744

Abraham

c.744

Markos

750 - 1150

The kingdom is stable and prosperous, enjoying a golden age.

c.750

Kyriakos

c.790

Mikael

Johannes

c.822 - c.854

Zacharias III

c.854

Ali Baba

Israel

c.872 - c.892

Georgios I

c.892

Asabyos

Istabanos

c.943

Kubri

Zacharias IV

c.969

Georgios II

Simeon

c.1002

Rafael

? - 1080

Georgios III

1080 - 1089

Salomo

1089 - 1130

Basileios

1130 - 1171

Georgios IV

1171 - 1210

Moise

1210 - 1268

Yahya

1268 - 1274

David I

1274 - 1276

David II

1276 - ?

Shakanda

? - 1279

Masqadat

1279 - 1286

Barak

1286 - 1293

Samamun

1304 - 1305

Amai

1305 - 1324

Kudanbes

1314

Increased aggression from Egypt and internal discord leads to the state's collapse.

1820 - 1872

Muhammad Ali of Eqypt conquers Sudan in 1820-1822.

1872 - 1881

Egypt conquers South Sudan in 1872-1874.

1881 - 1898

The Sudanese revolt under the Mahdi.

1898 - 1956

Sudan is ruled under joint Anglo-Egyptian control.

1956

Sudan gains independence.