(العلاقات النوبية الرومانية في فترة الممالك النوبية المسيحية (القرن السادس – القرن الحادي عشر الميلادي

Abstract

The Christian Nubian Kingdoms survived for eight centuries (6th century – the 14th century) and therefore considered as one of the important historical times in medevial Sudan history which witnessed contact with the outside world especially the Roman Empire during the Byzantine era. Three kingdoms originated: Nobadia, Macorya and Alawa, during the 7th century the two northern kingdoms united and history sources refer to northern Nubia kingdom, capital at old Dongola and Alawa kingdom, capital at Soba. This period in medevial Sudan history reflected political and cultural changes attributable to the introduction of Christianity through Byzantine missionaries coming to the country, in retrospect, political and cultural relations spread among kingdoms and the Roman Empire as reflected on political and regional activities in Nubia in addition to religion and arts, on the other side leading to some social changes in Nubian Kingdoms in the history of medevial Sudan. Prior studies focused on spread of Christianity, political and cultural changes in Nubia and not directly to the new bridge with the Roman Empire civilization and how this civilization in flounced Nubian kingdoms. The Nubian Kingdoms influenced by foreign civilization bringing along political and cultural changes in the country set new foundation for distinguished civilization influenced by the relation with the Roman Empire in addition to the heritage of previous kingdoms civilization (political and cultural). I have realised that religion factor Christianity during Sudan middle history reflected continuous and renewable spiritual activity, also the rise of Nubian state supported by the Roman Empire played an important role in the rise of Roman – Nubian relations leading to leakage of Christianity to the states and its spread in the sixth century AD, also application of Byzantine political system, reflected on religion, architecture and arts in Nubia. It is observed in this study the similarity of religion ideology in government through divine right. Kings of Nubia tried to make Christian religion as constitution of the kingdoms similar to the Roman Empire (The Bible is constitution of the state). As far as religion aspect is concerned, it is evident that Byzantine influence on Nubian arts helped to realise education and praying systems in Nubia as reflected on wall paintings in churches, influenced by Byzantine arts due to the religious environmental background prevailing in Sudan middle history time.