Nobatia

Nobatia, also known as Nobadia or the Kingdom of Nobatia, was a medieval kingdom located in Lower Nubia, in the region that is today northern Sudan and southern Egypt. It emerged as one of three successor states to the Kingdom of Kush after its collapse in the 4th century CE. The other two successor states were Makuria and Alodia.

Nobatia's origins are linked to the Nobatae, a nomadic people who were invited into the region by the Roman Emperor Diocletian to defend the southern frontier of Roman Egypt from the Blemmyes. Over time, the Nobatae established a more settled existence and formed a distinct kingdom.

The capital of Nobatia was likely Pachoras (modern Faras). The kingdom was initially pagan, but converted to Christianity, probably of the Miaphysite variety, by the mid-6th century. The missionary activity of Julian and Longinus is credited with this conversion.

Nobatia maintained generally peaceful relations with its northern neighbor, Byzantine Egypt, and occasionally allied with them against the Blemmyes. It also engaged in trade with Egypt.

In the 7th century, Nobatia was forcibly united with the kingdom of Makuria to the south, likely due to pressures from the Muslim conquest of Egypt. The new unified kingdom was often referred to as Makuria, with Nobatia becoming known as the northern province or "Eparchy of Nobadia." This merger significantly altered the political landscape of Nubia and set the stage for the subsequent history of the region.

While nominally part of Makuria, Nobatia retained a degree of autonomy and its own distinctive culture. Its legacy can be seen in the archaeological remains of its churches and settlements, as well as in the written sources that document its history.