Sholu
Sovereignempire

Makuria

500 CE – 1518 CE

Quick Facts

Type
Sovereign · empire
Period
500 CE – 1518 CE
Duration
1018 years
Known Periods
10
Capital
Old Dongola
Data Confidence
ai_generated

Overview

Makuria (Old Nubian: ⲇⲱⲧⲁⲩⲟ, Dotawo; Greek: Μακουρία, romanized: Makouria; Arabic: المقرة, romanized: al-Muqurra) was a medieval Nubian kingdom in what is today northern Sudan and southern Egypt. Its capital was Dongola (Old Nubian: ⲧⲟⲩⲅⲅⲟⲩⲗ, Touggoul) in the fertile Dongola Reach, about halfway between the 3rd and 4th Nile cataract. Coming into being after the collapse of the Kingdom of Kush in the 4th century, it originally covered the Nile Valley from the 3rd cataract to somewhere south of Abu Hamed at Mograt Island. The capital of Dongola was founded around 500 and soon after, in the mid-6th century, Makuria converted to Christianity. Probably in the early 7th century Makuria annexed its northern neighbour Nobatia, now sharing a border with Byzantine.

Historical Periods

Makuria (347–568)

347 CE – 568 CE

Capital: Old DongolaArea: 65,102 km²

Makuria (569–622)

569 CE – 622 CE

Capital: Old DongolaArea: 65,102 km²

Makuria (623–655)

623 CE – 655 CE

Capital: Old DongolaArea: 65,102 km²

Makuria (656–681)

656 CE – 681 CE

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Capital: Old DongolaArea: 212,627 km²

Makuria (682–691)

682 CE – 691 CE

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Capital: Old DongolaArea: 212,681 km²

Makuria (692–849)

692 CE – 849 CE

Capital: Old DongolaArea: 212,627 km²

Makuria (850–1110)

850 CE – 1110 CE

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Capital: Old DongolaArea: 212,627 km²

Makuria (1111–1278)

1111 CE – 1278 CE

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Capital: Old DongolaArea: 212,627 km²

Makuria (1294–1406)

1294 CE – 1406 CE

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Capital: Old DongolaArea: 212,627 km²

Makuria (1407–1414)

1407 CE – 1414 CE

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Capital: Old DongolaArea: 212,627 km²

Explore Makuria on the Interactive Map

Watch territories shift, borders change, and history unfold across centuries

Makuria (500 CE – 1518 CE) — Map, Timeline & History | Sholu