Stepping Back in Time With

ANCIENT KUSH

Where is Kush Located?

Kush was a kingdom in Nubia

Nubia—African region south of Egypt

Divided into two areas- upper area( upstream) and lower

area(downstream)

ADVANTAGE OVER EGYPT:-southern Nubiaʼs moist climate didnʼt limit farming to only Nile Valley

Egypt and Kush as Neighbors:

• Kush supplied:1. Slaves 2. Materials:

gold ebony (wood) ivory

Egypt's conquest of Kush:

1. Kush grew wealthy from trade

2. Kush army grew strong

3. Egyptian rulers feared Kush would over power Egypt and sent in armies to gain complete control of Kush

4. They conquered all of Nubia north of the 5th cataract

5. Destroyed Kush capital Kerma

Effects of Egypt’s conquest

1. Egypt ruled for 450 years

2. Egypt influenced Kush: Clothing

Language Religious practice Architecture

Government

Kush's conquest of Egypt

• During the new kingdom, Egypt declined giving Kush a chance to regain power

• Egypt

Kush

• Leaders ruled from Napata

• Ruled for 40 years

The End of Kush Rule Over Egypt

About 670 BC: Assyrians from Mesopotamia took over Egypt

Kush becomes prosperous

• After they lost control of Egypt, the

people of Kush devoted themselves to:

agriculture & trade

Meroë- Kush's Iron Industry

The trading capital was centered in Kush during this period was at Meroe (MER-oh-wee), the

kingdom’s new capital.

-Located on the east bank of the nile

-Access to gold, ebony, wood

-Most importantly, the area around Meroë was full of rich iron ore deposits.

-People of Kush developed Africa’s first iron industry

-Became the center of a large trade network

Meroë:

Kush culture

As Kush trade grew, merchants came into contact with people from other cultures.

Main influence was Egypt: -Many temples, resembled those in Egypt.

-Many people in Kush worshipped Egyptian gods and wore Egyptian clothing

-Kush rulers used the title pharaoh and were buried in pyramids.

In addition to Egyptian gods, people of Kush worshipped their own gods and developed their own written language, Meroitic (still not understood by historians)

The Decline of Kush

• Weakened economy

• Kush produced fewer weapons and trade goods

• New trade routes were developed that avoided Kush

1) How did the Nile River affect the Egyptian AND Kush civilizations?

Provide specific examples.

2) Why was Meroe an important city for the Kushites?

3) In what ways did the Egyptians influence the civilization of Kush?

4) What were some similarities between the Egyptians and the

Kushites?