AHC : Ethiopian/Coptic Empire conquers Egypt before 1200AD

What might the role of the Nubian kingdoms be in this conquest? This would be one hell of an Axum wank, where they subdue Makuria and Alodia before advancing to Egypt. We'll assume that's absolutely necessary.

From there, we need a weak Rome and a strong Axum. The time of the Arab conquest is best, so add a Caliphate screw into things. Have the Arabs permanently defeated in the Maghreb by the post-Roman states (and whatever remains of the Exarchate). Into the fray comes Axum, who seizes Egypt from the Arabs and makes a smart alliance with one power (probably the Exarchate/post-Roman state in the Maghreb) against Arabs and anyone seeking conquest. With an alliance with the Exarchate (assuming they don't want Cyrenaica), they are no longer surrounded by Muslims and can amass the power to conquer Egypt itself.

Personally I think it's easier to have a "second Kushite dynasty" ruling Egypt instead of Ethiopia with a Makuria wank. Either way, I think curbing Arab power in North Africa in general is needed. Going by that logic, you could have an ultra-wanked Makuria (or Alodia, or another Nubian state) which consumes both Egypt and Ethiopia if that would count. Problem is, I think that state would be simply be a Coptic Egyptian state rather than a Nubian or Ethiopian state.

The result in any case is likely to be an Egyptian renaissance in Egypt and huge effects on Ethiopia as well. Maybe if the union between the states ends, Ethiopia will soon get an autocephalous Patriarch? I think this state is likely to become very Copticised in any case.
 
I do like the idea of a Wanked Makuria - being more central to Egypt and Ethiopia (and ruling both) does bring the centre of gravity to Nubia, you're right.

Whilst not the original goal - I'd still love to see it. But I have this image that you'd have a strong Egypt and a strong Ethiopia each trying to be independent of Makuria and pulling it different ways. I wonder if the wealth of these two regions can realistically be siphoned into Makuria to make it truly stronger than both. I imagine you'd see the whole Empire (whoever dominates) torn between the Coast (Nubia would probably pamper Suakin) - Egypt, Nubia proper and Ethiopia. I do love the idea of Makuria restarting the old-school burial traditions - huge underground complexes would pretty epic.
 
I do like the idea of a Wanked Makuria - being more central to Egypt and Ethiopia (and ruling both) does bring the centre of gravity to Nubia, you're right.

Whilst not the original goal - I'd still love to see it. But I have this image that you'd have a strong Egypt and a strong Ethiopia each trying to be independent of Makuria and pulling it different ways. I wonder if the wealth of these two regions can realistically be siphoned into Makuria to make it truly stronger than both. I imagine you'd see the whole Empire (whoever dominates) torn between the Coast (Nubia would probably pamper Suakin) - Egypt, Nubia proper and Ethiopia. I do love the idea of Makuria restarting the old-school burial traditions - huge underground complexes would pretty epic.

I think the issue of making Makuria the center is that Egypt is just so much better. It has a long history and most importantly is a center of Christianity--it has the seat of the Coptic Church and I don't doubt for a second this empire wouldn't go after Jerusalem (as Egypt historically has since the Pharaohs), and that's much closer to Egypt. Egypt has greater agricultural strength in more land and richer land which is better linked than Makuria (or Axum's land), as well as greater access to trade routes in the Mediterranean and to a lesser extent the Red Sea coast. Axum I believe had more proximity to Arabia as well as more subdued coastal peoples than the Beja were to Makuria.

It's basically the 25th dynasty part 2.
 
Axum something something Roman Collapse something something Muslims fail something something Coptic Egypt something something :closedeyesmile:
Maybe an Unification of the Coptic Church and the post shism Greek Church lead to a fusion or federation of Byzantines, Abyssinians and Nubians. A common heir and a common Patriach reings this Eastern-Southern post Roman-Axumite Empire eventually.
 
Maybe an Unification of the Coptic Church and the post shism Greek Church lead to a fusion or federation of Byzantines, Abyssinians and Nubians. A common heir and a common Patriach reings this Eastern-Southern post Roman-Axumite Empire eventually.

Makes sense. How would they deal with the Muslim Arabs to the east though?
 
Makes sense. How would they deal with the Muslim Arabs to the east though?

An alliance like this would need naval dominance to work. Now, perversely, Nubia could be well placed (Simply as it is flatter) to bring wood from near the Sudd to the coast to build a fleet. It isn't cheap, but it is important, and allows them to become traders in the Indian Ocean too.

That navy would allow them to move men and materials from Ethiopia to Egypt and back again much more easily than overland - and allow them to fight a naval war. In fact, I'd say the naval theatre is more vital than the Sinai. Holding the Sinai helps Egypt, holding OTL Eritrea helps preserve Ethiopia, but the Red Sea protects all members, and allows their co-operation, and easy raids on Arabs.

Although, christ - it'd be hard work lugging those logs across Nubia without a good road system. It is a good 400-600 km trip. The sheer quantity of wood that might be in motion? Like, easily a months supplies in advance.

Whilst valuable militarily, it'd be expensive beyond imagining - would the sale of Indian Ocean goods to Europe be able to pay for it all? I'm not entirely sure.

(But a Nubian mini-med in the red sea is a fun concept - especially as it implies victory and conquest of Mecca).
 
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