Zacharias III of Makuria

Zacharias I. was a Nubian king who to 856 or even to 866 ruled the kingdom of Makuria of about 835.

From Zacharias I. is reported that he had not paid for 14 years, the annual Tribute ( Baqt ) to the Muslims. In order to escape a debt of over 5000 slaves, he sent his son Giorgio ( Giorgio I. ) to Egypt and then to the court of the Caliph to Baghdad to negotiate the matter. Giorgios has been received by the Caliph Al- Mutasim with honors and probably also reached the goal of his mission. He is described as smart, young, good-looking and educated man with good manners, worthy of a royal task.

It has been suggested that the cross -shaped church was built in Old Dongola in honor of this event.

From another son named John the grave stele is known. He was Protomeizotros and eparch of Gadera (?) And died on 10 December 883