Georgios I of Makuria
| Georgios I | |
|---|---|
| King ofMakuria | |
| Predecessor | Zacharias III |
| Successor | Zacharias IV |
| Born | Dongola |
| Religion | Coptic Orthodox Christianity |
Georgios I(also George I;Arabic:Firaki) was a ruler of theNubianstate ofMakuria(c. AD 860 – 920). The events about the king are preserved in the writings of Egyptian historiansal-Maqrizi,al-BalawiandIbn Taghribirdi.Their description of the events is not always conclusive and they provide contradictory information at several points, making it difficult for modern historian to reconstruct the events.
Reign
[edit]In his youth, his fatherZacharias IIIappointed him co-regent and dispatched him on the long journey toBaghdad.[1] For several yearsEgypthad been wracked by theFourth Fitnaand Zacharias had halted payments of thebaqt.OnceIbrahimhad gained control over Egypt he demanded thebaqtbe resumed and the payment of all arrears. In an attempt to reduce these demands, Georgios was sent to meet the Caliph. It is not certain if he traveled all the way to Baghdad or whether he simply went toCairo;either way his journey had a major effect, and a new treaty was signed canceling the arrears and changing the terms of thebaqtso that it only needed to be paid once every three years.[2]
There is another story of Georgios being captured in his youth and brought to Baghdad as a prisoner. It is possible, but unlikely, that he made the journey twice. It is also possible that in this story he was confused with another person.[1]
During Georgios' long reign theArabadventurerAbu al-Rahman al-Umariinvaded thegoldmining area nearAbu Hamanwith his private army. Georgios dispatched his nephew and heirNiutyto battle him, but Niuty rebelled. Georgios sent one of his sons, but he was defeated and forced to flee toAlodia.Another son,Zacharias,was dispatched, defeated once by Niuty's forces he allied himself with al-Umari and defeated Niuty. He then turned on al-Umari forcing him back to the north.[1]