Ancient Nubia

Which Nile culture developed first? Egypt Nubia

However, Egypt developed more quickly! Nubia However, Egypt developed more quickly!

Nubia Located in present day Sudan; south of Egypt Called Kingdom of Kush

Nubia Nubia was more fertile in ancient times Silt from flooding (Nile) Rich in minerals – gold, copper, stone

Nubian Civilization Similar to Egypt Farming developed about 3500 B.C. Some farmers grew wealthy; became leaders

Nubian Civilization 2000 B.C. – leader united the region & became king Kingdom – Kush 1st capital – Kerma (south of 3rd cataract) – natural barrier

Kushite society Began evolving Influenced by people in the south and Egypt in the North

Nubia’s Wealth Nubian kings gained wealth from trade Nubians raised cattle and hunted for food because they lived in a rocky region

Conflict Arises Peaceful at times Egypt / Nubia border shifted many times Was influenced by Egypt because of close contact, but did develop its own culture Kush grew wealthy and strong Egyptians feared the growth of Kush

During Egypt’s Old Kingdom, pharaohs often controlled Lower Nubia

Egypt VS Nubia Egypt sought to control the mines and trade in Nubia In times of strong governments (pharaohs) in Egypt, Egypt pushed into Nubia; weak governments were driven out of Nubia

Egypt VS Nubia Egypt’s New Kingdom 1500 B.C. - Thutmose I sent army to conquer Kush Conquered Nubia north of 5th cataract Destroyed Kerma Nubians enslaved Forced to make payments of gold Built Egyptian temples

Egyptian Control Controlled Kush 450 years Egyptians settled in Kush Egyptian language Egyptian names, clothing, religious practices

King’s Sons of Kush Pharaoh’s officials Kept watch over local rulers Sent sons of rulers to Egypt as hostages

Egypt eventually retreated because of problems at home!

Egypt’s New Kingdom Ends Mid 1000s Egypt’s pharaoh lost power Kushite leaders regained control of Kush Kush became independent once again No history of Kush for next 200 years

Kush Regains Power 850 B.C. Kushites build new capital in Napata (south of Kerma)

Kush Invades Egypt 700s B.C. King Kashta attacked Egypt 751 B.C. – conquered Lower Egypt

Kushite Rule Piankhi (son of Kashta) – 751-716 B.C. Continued to attack Egypt Believed gods wanted him to rule Egypt – fueled passion for war Controlled from Delta to Kushite capital

Egypt under Nubian rule Nubians allowed Egyptians to keep their own culture Nubians helped to restore forgotten or lost parts of their culture

Shabaka Brother of Piankhi Declared himself Pharaoh Began 25th Dynasty Believed they were heirs of great Egyptian pharaoh’s of the past

Shabaka Restored Egyptian culture and infrastructure Tried to restore old traditions and cultural practices Worked to restore Egyptian writing Restored temples

End of Nubian Rule Nubians only ruled Egypt 40-60 years 670s B.C. – Assyrians invaded Egypt in 10 years Kushites had been back into Nubia

Kushite Success Became farmers and traders Prosperous and powerful

Kushite Iron Industry Meroe – new capital and industrial center Location on Nile aided growth Large deposits of …. -gold -forests – ebony & other wood -iron ore

Kushite Trade Trade network – system of people in different lands who trade goods Kush to Egyptians; Egyptians to Greeks; then to entire Mediterranean region and Red Sea ports

Kush Exports and Imports Exports – items sent to other places – gold, pottery, iron tools and weapons, slaves, ivory Imports – goods brought in from other countries – fine jewelry and luxury items

Cultural Diffusion Trade led to combined cultures of Kushites and others Most obvious – Egypt – borrowed many aspects of Egyptian culture

Unique Kushite Culture Houses Daily life Worshipped some of own gods Own written language – Meroitic (we still can’t decode) Different view on women

Kushite Women Expected to be active Some rose to positions of power Co-rulers Queens Queen Shankhdakheto – 1st woman to rule Kush (170 B.C. – 150 B.C.)

Decline of Kush Problems within the kingdom weakened the economy Overgrazed the land (cattle); led to soil blown away by wind; less farming Cut down too many trees to fuel furnaces; furnaces shut down; fewer weapons and tools to trade

Decline of Kush Weakened by loss of trade Foreigners set up new trade routes that bypassed Kush Aksum

Aksum Located on Red Sea Present day Ethiopia and Eritrea Grew wealthy quickly (200 years) A.D. 350 Emperor Ezana took advantage of Kush’s loss of wealth and military power – destroyed Kushite capital (Meroe)

Aksum Late A. D. 300s Aksum became Christian 200 years later converted Nubians Influence of Kush disappeared

Egypt and Nubia had lost their power and NEVER regained full strength!