--- title: Faras Cathedral author: Mark Cartwright source: https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras_Cathedral/ format: machine-readable-alternate license: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/) updated: 1970-01-01 --- # Faras Cathedral _Authored by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/)_ The Cathedral of [Faras](https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras/), a [city](https://www.worldhistory.org/city/) in ancient Nubia and once the capital of the Kingdom of Faras (aka Nobatia), was built and rebuilt from the 8th to 11th century CE. Its interior was decorated with hundreds of frescoes which are amongst the finest examples of early Christian art seen anywhere. With the site now deep below Lake Nasser, all that remains of this once great city are the art and artefacts which were rescued for posterity prior to 1964 CE. ### Historical Overview Faras (aka Pechoras) was a town located on the [Nile](https://www.worldhistory.org/nile/) River (just before the second cataract), near the border of modern [Egypt](https://www.worldhistory.org/egypt/) and Sudan in what was known in antiquity as Nubia. Possessing a long history, the city was founded between 2040 and 1750 BCE and became an important [trade](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/trade/) and religious centre in first the [Egyptian Empire](https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Empire/) and then the Kingdom of [Kush](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kush/) (c. 1600 BCE) until the mid-4th century CE. Around 350 CE, Faras became capital of the [new kingdom](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/New_Kingdom/) of that name, also known as the Kingdom of Nobatia or Nobadia. Faras adopted [Christianity](https://www.worldhistory.org/christianity/) around 543 CE following a mission originally sent by the [Byzantine emperor](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Emperor/) [Justinian I](https://www.worldhistory.org/Justinian_I/) (r. 527-565 CE) which travelled down from then Christian Egypt. However, there had already been Christian missionaries in the kingdom before this, and the precise date of the [religion](https://www.worldhistory.org/religion/)'s official adoption is not known. Tombs have also indicated that some pre-Christian practices still continued well into the Christian-era of Nubia. Around a century later, the kingdom adopted the Monophysite doctrine of Christianity following influence from the Christian [kingdom of Axum](https://www.worldhistory.org/Kingdom_of_Axum/) (in modern Ethiopia, 3rd-6th century CE). Faras was the seat of a bishop who, having a seat on the council which advised the king, would have had some influence on government. The ancient Nubian kingdom of Dongola (aka Makuria or Makurra, flourished 6th-14th century CE), absorbed the smaller neighbouring Christian kingdoms of Faras, located to the north, and perhaps, too, Alodia in the south, forming a unified state in the late 7th century CE. The unification was likely a response to the increased threat from Muslim North African states, especially Egypt. A long period of relative peace and prosperity had, though, followed the signing of a non-aggression pact between Dongola and Egypt c. 652 CE. The peace finally came to an end when the Mamluks of Egypt (1250-1517 CE) attacked the kingdom in 1276 CE. In 1315 CE, a Muslim puppet ruler was installed at [Old Dongola](https://www.worldhistory.org/Old_Dongola/) by the Mamluks. The Nubians were then attacked by the nomadic Juhayna Arabs who swept into Sudan from northern Egypt at some time in the 14th century CE. [ ![Faras Cathedral Model](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/10377.jpg?v=1599147904) Faras Cathedral Model Piotr Ligier (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10377/faras-cathedral-model/ "Faras Cathedral Model")After several centuries in the historical doldrums, Faras once more gained international attention thanks to the archaeological excavation of parts of the city in the early 1960s CE. Alas, just when it seemed Faras would contribute enormously to our knowledge of ancient Nubia, the city's greatest tragedy occurred. In 1964 CE, Faras and the surrounding area was deliberately flooded by the rise of Lake Nasser following the [Egyptian government](https://www.worldhistory.org/Egyptian_Government/)'s management of the Nile River. Fortunately, all was not lost. ### Cathedral of Faras - [Architecture](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/architecture/) The cathedral of Faras was excavated from the sands of the Nubian desert over four [seasons](https://www.worldhistory.org/Horae/) from 1961 to 1964 CE by a Polish archaeological team who managed to get in with their trowels and spades just before the whole area was flooded. What at first appeared to be a fortress turned out to be a large Christian cathedral with two side chapels. The structure, which had many similarities with the standard [Byzantine](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Byzantine/) basilica, was built in 707 CE on top of the ruins of a [palace](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/palace/) which was itself built on top of a 4th-century CE Christian church. These layers of history were confirmed by inscriptions on two foundation stones, one written in Coptic and the other in [Greek](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/greek/). The cathedral was credited to Faras' fifth bishop, Paulos, and to King Merkuiros of Dongola (r. from 697 CE), he who had unified the three Christian kingdoms in Nubia. The new structure was built using a combination of stone, baked brick, and timber beam supports. The roof was flat and made of wood. Then, around 900 CE, the cathedral was replastered and, c. 1000 CE, it was rebuilt, perhaps after a fire had destroyed the roof. While the cathedral was being repaired, a new church was used close by. The new version of the cathedral used much more fired mud brick than previously, which was a more versatile material to work with. Consequently, the granite columns were replaced with brick piers which now supported a much more complex roof which had a large central dome and smaller domes over the four aisles as well as many vaulted ceilings. The cathedral had a floor plan of a large central cross within a square. The design could have been a little too ambitious, for in 1169 CE the barrel vaulting of the nave collapsed, although it may have been deliberately attacked. Curiously, the damage was never repaired and the nave was simply sealed off while the rest of the cathedral remained in use. When the cathedral was excavated most of the roof had collapsed. ### Frescoes The interiors of many buildings and especially churches in the Christian kingdoms of Nubia were painted with large frescoes, but it is those which were added to the inside of Faras Cathedral that are amongst the finest. Besides large frescoes covering entire walls, the cathedral also boasted 120 smaller painted panels. [ ![Bishop Marianos & Mary, Faras Cathedral](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/10369.jpg?v=1599147903) Bishop Marianos & Mary, Faras Cathedral LeGabrie (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10369/bishop-marianos--mary-faras-cathedral/ "Bishop Marianos & Mary, Faras Cathedral")The paintings were all made using the [fresco](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/Fresco/) secco technique and so were painted on top of several layers of already dried plaster. They are multicoloured, with shades of violet predominating in the earlier works. Those frescoes surviving from the first version of the cathedral have certain shared characteristics, similar to Coptic paintings seen in contemporary [Alexandria](https://www.worldhistory.org/alexandria/), like figures with very large eyes, squarish heads and thick lines used in the faces. Those paintings made in the 9th century CE predominately use white, while orange-red is the most common colouring in the 10th-century CE frescoes. The frescoes show scenes from the Old and [New Testament](https://www.worldhistory.org/New_Testament/) and portraits of local dignitaries. Many bishops of Faras are depicted, and these often helpfully have their names indicated which, by comparing with other records such as tombstones, can date the frescoes. Even more useful to historians was the discovery of a complete list of 27 bishops with names and reign dates painted in the southeast corner of the cathedral. The chapels had [wall](https://www.worldhistory.org/wall/) paintings of the Archangel Michael and Holy Mary, there are depictions of saints - notably three important to [Antioch](https://www.worldhistory.org/Antiochia/), and two sumptuously crowned figures representing the [Virgin Mary](https://www.worldhistory.org/Mary,_Mother_of_Jesus/) and the mother of a late-11th-century CE king of Faras called Martha the Queen Mother. Mary holds the infant [Jesus](https://www.worldhistory.org/Jesus_Christ/) and has her hand protectively on Martha's shoulder. All Nubians are portrayed as dark-skinned while figures like the Virgin Mary have pale skin. Clothing receives especially detailed treatment in many of the scenes. All the frescoes display a strong Byzantine-Coptic influence not only in artistic style but also the very clothes the people are wearing, which are richly embroidered and set with beads and jewels just as seen so often in [Byzantine art](https://www.worldhistory.org/Byzantine_Art/). [ ![Nativity Scene, Faras Cathedral](https://www.worldhistory.org/img/r/p/500x600/10368.jpg?v=1599147903) Nativity Scene, Faras Cathedral CJ Matulewicz (CC BY-SA) ](https://www.worldhistory.org/image/10368/nativity-scene-faras-cathedral/ "Nativity Scene, Faras Cathedral")One entire wall carries a 10-11th-century CE scene of the nativity with Mary in a long dark robe reclining on what appears to be a chaise longue. The artistic significance of this most striking of the Faras frescoes and also the largest known Nubian wall painting, is described in detail by the art historian P. Garlake: > The Great Nativity in the Cathedral of Faras marks the highest level of accomplishment in Christian Nubian art. It was the model for many other madonnas. The colours, especially of the vestments, are audacious. The various subjects are painted as distinct elements in a free composition. The altar-like manger has been said to derive from paintings in [Jerusalem](https://www.worldhistory.org/jerusalem/). This is one of the few instances in Christian art where the shepherds are named (Arnias and Lekotes); and the [magi](https://www.worldhistory.org/Magi/) prefer horses to the conventional camel and thus echo the millennia-long love affair of Nubia with its horses. (69) Finally, in addition to the artworks and a strong reminder that the cathedral was an integral part of the daily life of the community, the walls have also revealed many examples of ancient graffiti. These odd lines, most often prayers or an appeal to [God](https://www.worldhistory.org/God/) to help a named person, are written in the three languages used in the kingdom: Coptic, Greek, and Old Nubian. Once exposed from the Nubian sand, a team of conservation specialists from the National Museum of Warsaw was given the tasks of rescuing and preserving these masterpieces of early Christian art. The frescoes were removed from the walls wherever possible and meticulously cleaned of dirt and the fragile paintwork restored with adhesives. Attached to a new backing, the frescoes could then be displayed vertically once more. These windows into East [Africa](https://www.worldhistory.org/disambiguation/africa/)'s Christian past can now be seen in various museums, but chiefly in the Sudan National Museum in Khartoum and the Faras Gallery of the Polish National Museum in Warsaw. #### Editorial Review This human-authored definition has been reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure accuracy, reliability and adherence to academic standards in accordance with our [editorial policy](https://www.worldhistory.org/static/editorial-policy/). ## Bibliography - [Curtin, P. *African History.* Pearson, 1995.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0582050707/) - [Fage, J.D. (ed). *The Cambridge History of Africa, Vol. 2.* Cambridge University Press, 2001.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0521215927/) - [Garlake, P. *Early Art and Architecture of Africa.* Oxford University Press, 2002.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0192842617/) - [Hrbek, I. (ed). *UNESCO General History of Africa, Vol. III, Abridged Edition.* University of California Press, 1992.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0520066987/) - [Mokhtar, G. (ed). *UNESCO General History of Africa, Vol. II, Abridged Edition.* University of California Press, 1990.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0520066979/) - [Oliver, R.A. *Cambridge Encyclopedia of Africa.* Cambridge University Press, 1981.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/0521230969/) - [Shepard, J. (ed). *The Cambridge History of the Byzantine Empire c.500-1492.* Cambridge University Press, 2019.](https://www.worldhistory.org/books/1107685877/) ## About the Author Mark is WHE’s Publishing Director and has an MA in Political Philosophy (University of York). He is a full-time researcher, writer, historian and editor. Special interests include art, architecture and discovering the ideas that all civilizations share. ## Timeline - **c. 707 CE**: The first version of [Faras Cathedral](https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras_Cathedral/) is built. - **c. 900 CE**: The cathedral at [Faras](https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras/) is extensively replastered. - **c. 1000 CE**: The second version of the [Faras Cathedral](https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras_Cathedral/) is built. - **1169 CE**: The barrel vault of the nave of [Faras Cathedral](https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras_Cathedral/) collapses and is not repaired. ## External Links - [National Museum in Warsaw](http://www.mnw.art.pl/en/collections/permanent-galleries/faras-gallery/) ## Cite This Work ### APA Cartwright, M. (2019, April 05). Faras Cathedral. *World History Encyclopedia*. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras\_Cathedral/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras_Cathedral/) ### Chicago Cartwright, Mark. "Faras Cathedral." *World History Encyclopedia*, April 05, 2019. [https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras\_Cathedral/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras_Cathedral/). ### MLA Cartwright, Mark. "Faras Cathedral." *World History Encyclopedia*, 05 Apr 2019, [https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras\_Cathedral/](https://www.worldhistory.org/Faras_Cathedral/). ## License & Copyright Submitted by [Mark Cartwright](https://www.worldhistory.org/user/markzcartwright/ "User Page: Mark Cartwright"), published on 05 April 2019. The copyright holder has published this content under the following license: [Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/4.0/deed.en). This license lets others remix, tweak, and build upon this content non-commercially, as long as they credit the author and license their new creations under the identical terms. When republishing on the web a hyperlink back to the original content source URL must be included. 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