Download The Kingdom of Kush

The Kingdom of
Kush
The Geography of Kush
Kush is located south of Egypt along the Nile River.
• Kush thrived from 2000 B.C.E. to 350 C.E
It is known for very rich goldmines.
• Kush is often called Nubia.
• Nub is Egyptian for gold.
Kush’s geographic location and natural resources
made it an important trade hub.
• It connected Central and South Africa to Egypt.
• Egyptians traded with Kush along the Nile River.
• Egyptians offered grain, beer, and linen.
• Kush offered gold, ivory, leather, timber, and
slaves.
Troubles with Egypt
Egypt often fought with Kush controlling parts of
Kush’s territory.
• During the New Kingdom Egypt controlled Kush,
forcing them to pay tribute to Egypt.
• Kushites had to give gold, cattle, ivory, ebony,
ostrich feathers, and slaves.
• Sometimes these gifts included exotic animals
such as giraffes and monkeys.
Kush became “Egyptianized” under Egypt’s
control.
• Kushites spoke and wrote in Egyptian.
• Worshiped Egyptian gods and goddesses.
Troubles with Egypt cont.
• Wore Egyptian clothing.
• Kushite archers were hired for Egypt’s
army.
• An archer is a person who shoots with a
bow and arrow.
• Kush’s princes were sent to Egypt for
education.
When the New Kingdom collapsed in 1100
B.C.E.
• Even though Egypt wasn’t controlling them
anymore, they kept Egyptian culture.
Kush Conquers Egypt
After the fall of Egypt’s New Kingdom
several Egyptian kingdoms fought each other
for power.
• This weakened Egypt.
• In the mid-700s B.C.E. Kush’s armies
invaded Egypt.
• In 730 B.C.E. northern Egypt surrendered
to Kush’s king Piye.
• King Piye took the title pharaoh.
Piye started the 25th ruling dynasty.
• A dynasty is a line of rulers (father to son
to grandson to great grandson)
• This dynasty is often called the “black
pharaohs.”
Kush Conquers Egypt cont.
The Kushites wanted to revive Egyptian
glory.
• They built new temples and pyramids in
both Egypt and Kush.
• Jebel Barakal’s temple is the most
famous.
• It copied Ramses II’s temple in style.
In 671 B.C.E. Egypt’s former territory was
conquered by the Assyrians.
• The Kushites tried to battle the Assyrians.
• The Assyrians had iron weapons. The
Kushites only had bronze.
Egyptian
Kings
bowing
before
Kush’s
kings.
Jebel Barakal’s temple
The Kush Capital of Meroë
After the city of Napata was
destroyed, Kush moved its’ capital
to Meroë.
• The city was further south and
therefore safer from invaders.
Kush continued to trade using the
Nile, Red Sea, and overland trade
routes.
• They traded with Arabs, African
kingdoms, Rome, India, and maybe
even China.
cont.
Meroë also became known industry.
• After losing to the Assyrians because of iron
weapons, the Kushites became famous for their
work with iron.
Meroë had everything they needed to
produce iron.
• Had rich iron deposits.
• Had plenty of forests.
• Wood is needed to make charcoal.
• Charcoal is used to heat the iron.
• When heated iron separates from the rock.
• They made iron weapons and farming tools.
Kushites
mastered the art
of working with
iron to create
tools and
weapons.
Roots
After splitting away from Egypt, Kush
returned to its African roots.
•Their artwork, clothing, and
buildings no longer imitated
Egyptian styles.
•They worshipped an African liongod.
•They spoke and wrote Meroitic.
•It had its own alphabet not based
off of hieroglyphics.
cont.
Kush became ruled by Kandakes.
•These are Queen mothers.
•They often co-ruled with their sons or
husbands.
•They were considered goddesses.
•Queen Amanirenas is the most
famous.
•She destroyed many Roman forts.
•Rome signed a peace treaty with
Kush.
350 C.E. Kush was conquered by
Ethiopia.
Queen Amanirenas
and her son watch a
Roman Fort burn.
Work Cited
History Alive: History of the Ancient World
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