Chapter 4 – Ancient Egypt and Kush Ancient Kush

Essential Question How did geography help the Kush civilization grow?

I. The Geography of Early Nubia

A. The Land of Nubia South of Egypt, a group of people settled in the interior of Africa in a region called Nubia. Africans established a kingdom in this area and it was called Kush. The land of Ancient Nubia was fertile due to annual flooding. The Kingdom of Kush developed in this fertile area. The area was rich in materials such as gold, copper, and stone and this contributed to its wealth.

B. Early Civilization in Nubia Farmers thrived in the region because of the predictable Nile floods. Around 2000 BC, one farmer that became wealthy, took control of the villages and made himself king of the region and called the kingdom Kush. Kush’s capital was Kerma, located on the Nile River. Kerma was protected from invasions by the catarcats of the Nile River.

II. Kush and Egypt

A. Egypt’s Conquest of Kush Kush grew wealthy from trade with Egypt. They became major suppliers of slaves, stones, ebony, and ivory. Egypt and Kush traded with each other, but eventually they became hostile. Egypt feared Kush would become too powerful so Egypt invaded and conquered Kush.

B. Effects of the Conquest Kush remained under Egypt’s control for 450 years. Many Kushites adopted Egyptian religious practices, names, and languages.

C. A Change in Power During a time of decline in Egypt, Kushite leaders regained control of Kush, becoming independent again.

D. The Conquests of Egypt Around 850 BC, Kush regained its strength and conquered Egypt under the direction of Kashta and his son Piankhi. By 751 BC, Kashta had conquered Upper Egypt. After Kashta’s death, his son Piankhi ruled all of Egypt.

E. The Kushite Dynasty After Piankhi died, his brother Shabaka took control of the Kingdom. Shabaka tried to restore the old Egyptian practices.

F. The End of the Kushite Rule in Egypt The Kushite dynasty remained strong until the Assyrians drove them out of Egypt in the 670’s BC.

III. Later Kush

A. Kush’s Iron Industry Kush devoted itself to increasing agriculture and trade. Within 300 years, Kush became rich and powerful again. Meroe, the kingdom’s new capital, developed an iron industry. Iron ore and wood for furnaces helped Kush’s industry grow.

B. The Expansion of Trade Meroe became the center of a large trade network. Kush’s exports included gold, pottery, iron tools, slaves, and ivory. Kush’s imports included fine jewelry and other luxury items.

C. Kushite Culture Kushite culture was influenced by Egypt. They worshipped Egyptian gods, built pyramids, wore Egyptian clothing, and had rulers called pharaohs. Kushites also had their own written language called Meriotic.

IV. The Decline of Kush

A. Loss of Resources Cattle overgrazed the land and left nothing to hold down the soil. Iron makers used up the forests and military power declined when weapons weren’t produced.

B. Aksum Conquers Kush Kush was also weakened by a loss of trade due to new trade routes that went around Kush. The Aksumite army of King Ezana took over when Kush’s power started to decline. In the late 300s, the rulers of Aksum became Christian with Nubians also converting 300 years later, leaving the influences of Kush completely forgotten.