Nobatia

Nobatia was a state in Nubia and Sudan (North and West Africa) that lasted from c. 400 to 700 CE, about 300 years. Its people spoke Nilo-Saharan languages (Kanuri, Songhai, Nubian, Luo, Maasai).

Northernmost Christian Nubian kingdom, converted by missionaries in the 540s. It merged with Makuria around 700.

See Nobatia on the interactive timeline

Facts

Dates: c. 400 to 700 CE
Duration: 300 years
Type: State
Region: Nubia and Sudan, North and West Africa
Language family: Nilo-Saharan
Capital: Faras

Came from

Noba and the Ballana culture c. 350 to 550 CE

Became

Makuria c. 450 to 1312 CE

Events in North and West Africa during its time

641 Arab conquest of Egypt
652 The Baqt treaty
670 Founding of Kairouan

Neighbours in North and West Africa

Ghana Empire (Wagadu) c. 300 to 1200 CE
Kingdom of Aksum c. 100 to 940 CE
Makuria c. 450 to 1312 CE
Kanem Empire c. 700 to 1387 CE
Roman Africa 146 BCE to 439 CE
Vandal Kingdom 435 to 534 CE
Garamantes c. 500 BCE to 700 CE
Alodia c. 500 to 1504 CE
Byzantine Egypt 395 to 641 CE
Arab caliphal Egypt 641 to 868 CE

Elsewhere in the world at the same time

Republic of Venice c. 697 to 1797 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Europe
Byzantine Empire 395 to 1453 CE, Middle East
Srivijaya c. 650 to 1377 CE, Southeast Asia
Moche (Mochica) c. 100 to 800 CE, South America
Teotihuacan c. 100 BCE to 550 CE, Mesoamerica and Caribbean
Tiwanaku c. 400 to 1000 CE, South America
Sasanian Empire 224 to 651 CE, Middle East
Tang dynasty 618 to 907 CE, East Asia
Gupta Empire c. 320 to 550 CE, South Asia

Questions

When did Nobatia exist?

c. 400 to 700 CE, about 300 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.

Where was Nobatia?

Nubia and Sudan, in North and West Africa. Its capital was Faras.

What language did Nobatia speak?

Nilo-Saharan. This family includes Kanuri, Songhai, Nubian, Luo, Maasai.

What came before Nobatia?

Noba and the Ballana culture.

What came after Nobatia?

Makuria.