𝕋𝖗𝖚𝖊 𝕮𝖍𝖗𝖎𝖘𝖙𝖎𝖆𝖓𝖘

Magi are represented as kings

One of the Magi, often Balthazar, is depicted as dark skin complexion and coarser hair (today’s definition of the “Black” “race”) in many medieval and Renaissance artworks, particularly from the 12th century onward. These depictions highlight the universality of Christ’s message to all nations. The Cologne Cathedral (Germany) includes a Black Magus in its 12th-century reliquary and paintings.
𝓣𝓻𝓾𝓮 𝓒𝓱𝓻𝓲𝓼𝓽𝓲𝓪𝓷𝓼 𝓤𝓷𝓲𝓽𝓮

Nubian Authorities

Who were the people that could excercise authority over the Christian Nubians? What traces did they leave behind? In general we can distinguish between worldly and religious authorities: the royal family and the clergy. No statues or portraits on coins were made of them. They left their testimionies behind in the first place in the form of wall paintings in churches.

These paintings show bishops, kings, and royal mothers in lavish garments that show their high position in society. Some of these garments and attributes are clearly inspired by Byzantine examples and this may have been a way to show that Byzantium was considered a role model by Nubian royalty and clergy. There are reasons to believe that the royal court had great influence on the Church and that this Byzantine inspiration was a way of expressing the concept of divine kingship, the conviction that kings were chosen by God to rule over Church and State. The present research project investigates this matter.

𝓣 𝓒 𝓤