Abstract
The present paper focuses on the Sudanese life of General Gordon, for whom the Sudan became fatal. In its opening part, the article analyses his time in Egyptian service in the position of the Governor of Equatoria (1874-1877) and consequently, the Governor-General of the whole of the Sudan during the late rule of Khedive Ismail.
The fact that the growing Mahdist Revolt, which had caused destabilization of the standing Egyptian administration in the Sudan, could, under certain circumstances, be a threat for Egypt, too, forced British officials in early 1884 to use General Gordon's services as the Governor-General in Khartoum. However, Gordon's erroneous assessment of the situation soon led to his isolation from the surrounding areas.
The Relief Expeditions sent afterwards did not succeed in saving General Gordon, whose heroic dead passed into legend.