Chapter 5, Lesson 4 The Kingdom of Kush

The Nubians Other civilizations also flourished alongside Egypt in Africa. One of these was Nubia (Later known as Kush) and was located south of Egypt along the Nile River in Present-day Sudan. The first to settle were Cattle herders in 2000 B.C. Herded long-horned cattle on the savannas. (a flat grassland, sometimes with scattered trees, in a tropical or subtropical area) These people would eventually settle into farming villages along the Nile River.

The Nubians The savannah was different from Egypt’s desert areas. The land was already fertile and did not need the Nile River to make it so. It rained all year long. They grew beans, yams, rice, and grains. They were also hunters who were very skilled with the bow and arrow.

The Rise of Kerma Like most cultures, the strong Nubian villages took over the weaker ones eventually forming the Kingdom of Kerma (KAR-muh). They grew wealthy from agriculture and the mining of gold. Their kingdom had a close relationship with Egypt in the north.

The Rise of Kerma They benefited from their central location in the Nile. Made it an important trade link between Egypt and tropical areas of southern Africa. The Egyptians were able to get cattle, gold, incense, ivory, giraffes, leopards, and enslaved people. Also used the Nubians to serve in their armies because of their skill in warfare. Kerma also produced fine pottery, jewelry, and metal goods.

The Rise of Kerma They built tombs for their kings just like Egypt. Like pharaohs, they were buried with their personal belongings such as gold, jewelry, pottery, and valuable gems. These were built during the same time as those in Egypt.

Egyptian Invasion The Egyptians armies invaded Nubia in the 1400s B.C. After 50 years of war the Nubians were conquered and were rules for the next 700 years. This led to the adoption of many customs and beliefs of Egypt. They worshipped the Egyptian gods as well as their own Nubian gods. Made copper and bronze tools. Adapted hieroglyphs to fit their own language and created an alphabet.

The Kushite Kingdom Egypt had become very weak at the end of it’s Middle Kingdom. It found itself in a position where it could no longer control the people it ruled. The Nubians used this as an opportunity to break free from Egypt’s rule.

The Rise of Kush The Nubians had formed an independent kingdom known as Kush by 850 B.C. It’s capital city was Napata (NA-puh-tuh), located in the upper part of the Nile River. This is where caravans would cross from central Africa, brining ivory and other goods. They would pick up Kushite items while there and continue on to Egypt. Egypt often traded for things it could not make on its own and it brought wealth to Kush.

Kush Conquers Egypt Eventually, Kush became powerful enough to take over Egypt. A Kushite king named Kashta (KAHSH-tuh) invaded Egypt in 750, B.C. The soldiers made it all the way into Thebes. After Kashta died, his so Piye (PY) became king and finished the conquest of Egypt in 720 B.C. He was the 25th Dynasty that governed over Egypt and Kush from Napata.

Kush Conquers Egypt The king and wealthy people of Kush continued to admire Egyptian Culture. They would build white sandstone temples and monuments similar to Egypt. Also had a close relationship with their rulers and deities. When a king died, they would ask Amon-Re to appoint a new leader. They also built steeply-sloped pyramid tombs for their kings.

Kush Conquers Egypt Some people Kush would pull from cultures located in southern African. Ex: wearing ankle and ear jewelry. Also developed their own style of painted pottery. The elephant was seen as a sacred animal and could be found in sculptures and other arts.

Using Iron For 60 years, Kush ruled Egypt. Then came the Assyrians in 671 B.C. to invade Egypt. The Kushites were defeated by the Assyrians iron weapons and were forced to return to their homeland in the south. Bronze was not as strong as iron. They did eventually learn to make iron weapons from the Assyrians. Tools would soon be made out of iron instead of copper or stone. This led to growing more grain and other crops. Warriors made their weapons out of iron which increased their military strength.

The Capital of Meroë Kush’s rulers would move their capital to the city of Meroë around 540 B.C. It was located near one of the Nile’s cataracts. It served the purpose of protecting them from Assyrian attacks and The Nile would continue to allow them to trade with and transport themselves. Trees were used to fuel furnaces with iron ores. This made Meroë a major center for iron production as well as a busy trading city.

The Capital of Meroë Meroë was modeled after Egyptian cities. A temple dedicated to Amon-Re was located at the end of an avenue lined with ram sculptures. Palace and house walls were decorated with paintings. Small pyramids modeled after Egypt’s own pyramids were found in the royal graveyard. What made Meroë different were it’s iron furnaces. Heaps of black slag, or waste from iron making, were around the furnaces.

A Trading Center Meroë was right in the middle of many trade routes running north to Egypt’s border and south in central Africa. They traded for leopard skins and valuable wood found in the tropical interior of Africa. They would trade with places as far away as Arabia, India, China, and Rome. Trade items included the ones mentioned above, as well as enslaved workers and iron products. They received textiles (woven cloth), and other goods. They built fine houses and public baths like those in Rome with the wealth they generated.

A Trading Center For 600 years, Kush remained a great trading kingdom. Another kingdom named Axum (AHK-soon) would eventually conquer them. Emerged near the Red Sea in eastern Africa where it gained most of its strength from. It was located in preset-day country of Ethiopia. Goods from Africa would come into Axum and would serve as trade center for the ancient Mediterranean and East African worlds. Around 350 B.C., the armies of Axum invaded Kush and destroyed Meroë.