Ancient Nubia

Which Nile culture

developed first?Egypt Nubia

NubiaHowever, Egypt

developed more quickly!

NubiaLocated in present day Sudan; south of EgyptCalled Kingdom of Kush

NubiaNubia was more fertile in ancient timesSilt 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 kingKingdom – Kush1st capital – Kerma (south of 3rd cataract) – natural barrier

Kushite societyBegan evolvingInfluenced by people in the south and Egypt in the North

Nubia’s WealthNubian kings gained wealth from tradeNubians raised cattle and hunted for food because they lived in a rocky region

Conflict ArisesPeaceful at timesEgypt / Nubia border shifted many timesWas influenced by Egypt because of close contact, but did develop its own culture Kush grew wealthy and strongEgyptians feared the growth of Kush

During Egypt’s Old Kingdom,

pharaohs often controlled Lower

Nubia

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

Egypt VS NubiaEgypt’s New Kingdom1500 B.C. - Thutmose I sent army to conquer KushConquered Nubia north of 5th cataractDestroyed KermaNubians enslavedForced to make payments of goldBuilt Egyptian temples

Egyptian ControlControlled Kush

450 yearsEgyptians settled in KushEgyptian language Egyptian names, clothing, religious practices

King’s Sons of Kush

Pharaoh’s officialsKept watch over local rulersSent sons of rulers to Egypt as hostages

Egypt eventually retreated

because of problems at

home!

Egypt’s New Kingdom Ends

Mid 1000sEgypt’s pharaoh lost powerKushite leaders regained control of KushKush became independent once againNo history of Kush for next 200 years

Kush Regains Power850 B.C.

Kushites build new capital in Napata (south of Kerma)

Kush Invades Egypt700s B.C.

King Kashta attacked Egypt751 B.C. – conquered Lower Egypt

Kushite RulePiankhi (son of Kashta) – 751-716 B.C.Continued to attack EgyptBelieved gods wanted him to rule Egypt – fueled passion for warControlled from Delta to Kushite capital

Egypt under Nubian rule

Nubians allowed Egyptians to keep their own cultureNubians helped to restore forgotten or lost parts of their culture

ShabakaBrother of PiankhiDeclared himself PharaohBegan 25th Dynasty Believed they were heirs of great Egyptian pharaoh’s of the past

ShabakaRestored Egyptian culture and infrastructureTried to restore old traditions and cultural practicesWorked to restore Egyptian writingRestored temples

End of Nubian RuleNubians only ruled Egypt

40-60 years670s B.C. – Assyrians invaded Egypt in 10 years Kushites had been back into Nubia

Kushite SuccessBecame farmers and

tradersProsperous and powerful

Kushite Iron IndustryMeroe – new capital and industrial centerLocation on Nile aided growthLarge deposits of ….

-gold-forests – ebony & other wood-iron ore

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

Kush Exports and ImportsExports – items sent to other

places – gold, pottery, iron tools and weapons, slaves, ivoryImports – goods brought in from other countries – fine jewelry and luxury items

Cultural DiffusionTrade led to combined cultures of Kushites and othersMost obvious – Egypt – borrowed many aspects of Egyptian culture

Unique Kushite CultureHouses

Daily lifeWorshipped some of own godsOwn written language – Meroitic (we still can’t decode)Different view on women

Kushite WomenExpected to be activeSome rose to positions of powerCo-rulersQueensQueen Shankhdakheto – 1st woman to rule Kush (170 B.C. – 150 B.C.)

Decline of KushProblems within the kingdom weakened the economyOvergrazed the land (cattle); led to soil blown away by wind; less farmingCut down too many trees to fuel furnaces; furnaces shut down; fewer weapons and tools to trade

Decline of KushWeakened by loss of tradeForeigners set up new trade routes that bypassed KushAksum

AksumLocated on Red SeaPresent day Ethiopia and EritreaGrew wealthy quickly (200 years)A.D. 350 Emperor Ezana took advantage of Kush’s loss of wealth and military power – destroyed Kushite capital (Meroe)

AksumLate A. D. 300s Aksum became Christian200 years later converted NubiansInfluence of Kush disappeared

Egypt and Nubia had lost

their power and NEVER regained

full strength!