The Kingdom of Kush

The Kingdom of Kush

Mr. Curia's World History Class

Nubia existed in a vastly different climate than Egypt​

Welcome to Nubia!

The vast plains of the savanna were a great environment for cattle herding.

They were not restricted to a river valley and could spread out.​

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Geography and climate are still driving lifestyle.

Herders settle down

Nubia had rainfall throughout the year unlike Egypt.

Crops that were grown there included: beans, yams, rice, and grains​

Farming

​Hunting also formed a major food source.

Nubians became very skilled archers by using a bow and arrow to hunt animals on the savanna.​

Hunting

Multiple Choice

What was the major difference in climate between Egypt and Nubia?

• Egypt got rainfall year round

  Nubia did not and had to rely on floods

• Nubia got rainfall year round

  Egypt did not and had to rely on floods

• Nubia was mountainous

  Egypt was a flatland

• Egypt was tundra

  Nubia was a swamp

Multiple Choice

Nubians raised cattle on the savanna. Why were they able to raise cattle and Egypt was not?

• The savanna is a vast grassland and Egypt had very limited land to grow things

• The crocodiles in the Nile would eat all the cows

• The Egyptians raised hippos for meat instead

• Cows were sacred in Egypt

Multiple Choice

What weapon did the Nubians specialize in for hunting on the savanna?

• Spears

• Guns

• Bows and arrows

• Slingshots

​Power consolidated when the stronger villages took control of the others and formed the kingdom of Kerma.

​​Kerma

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Kerma's wealth came from agriculture and mining gold.

Mining

Kerma was located on a trade route and this also increased their wealth. They were the go-between for Egypt and southern Africa

Trade​

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In addition to trade, Egypt would also hire warriors from Nubia to serve in their military and provide specialized skills.

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Mercenaries are common in the ancient and modern world

​Warriors of Nubia

Egypt eventually decided to take direct control of their trading partner to the south and invaded in the 1400s B.C. The war lasted for 50 years before Egypt claimed victory for the next 700 years.

Egypt Invades!

While Egypt ruled Nubia, the Nubians took parts of the Egyptian culture as their own:

• Gods and goddesses

• Bronze tools

• Adapted hieroglyphics​

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Cultural exchange is constant.

Cultural Exchange

Multiple Choice

Which of these was a major source of wealth for Kerma?

• Mining diamonds

• Making cars

• Fishing

• Trade

Poll

How much cultural exchange do you think happens in the modern day?

• 1 - Almost none

• 2 - Very little

• 3 - A middling amount

• 4 - Quite a lot

• 5 - Almost constantly

The power of the Middle Kingdom eventually weakened and a new, independent Nubian kingdom named Kush arose.

Kush Emerges

Around 850 B.C., Kush was independent and had a capital at Napata.

Napata was located at the perfect spot to be a trading hub and amass great wealth.​

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Trading hubs often become wealthy cities

Location

Location

Location

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Around 750 B.C. a Kushite king named Kashta began the invasion of Egypt, going as far as Thebes. His son, Piye took over after his death and finished conquering Egypt in 728 B.C. He founded the 25th Dynasty, setting himself up as an Egyptian pharaoh and ruled from Napata.

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Revenge of the Nubians!

Multiple Choice

Where was the capital of Kush?

• Kerma

• Thebes

• Napata

• Memphis

Multiple Choice

What was the name of the Kushite king who conquered ALL of Egypt?

• Kashta

• Piye

• Thutmose II

• Nestor

Kushites admired Egyptian culture greatly, as seen by Piye setting himself up as a pharaoh and fitting into Egyptian culture.

​​Kushite Culture

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The people of Kush worshipped many of the same gods as the Egyptians, and believed that there was a relationship between the gods and the king.​

Religion​

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They also copied many aspects of Egyptian building, including pyramids. Kushite pyramids were smaller, steeper, and had more obvious entrances.

Architecture

In 671 B.C. the Assyrians pushed Kush out of Egypt because they had iron weapons. While they lost control of Egypt, they learned how to make iron weapons and tools.​

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Technology is part of culture.

Iron Smelting ​

Following their defeat at the hands of the Assyrians, the Kushites moved their capital south to Meroe. It was more defensible and close to iron deposits.

The Capital at Meroe

Meroe had access to iron and wood to forge it, and became a major iron producer.​

Ironworks​

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The layout of Meroe was still influenced by Egyptian city design and included more pyramids and a royal graveyard modeled on ones in Egypt

Egyptian influence

Meroe was still located on the Nile and provided a convenient trading stop on the way to Egypt. This was another major source of wealth.

Trade, again​

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Ancient trade routes are far more extensive than most people would think. Meroe was connected to Arabia, India, China, and Rome.

Ancient Trade

A kingdom named Axum formed on the east coast of Africa and took Meroe's place as the main hub of trade. Eventually they invaded and destroyed Meroe

There's always a bigger fish.

Axum Takes the Trade

Multiple Choice

The Assyrians defeated Kush in Egypt. What did Kush learn in exchange?

• How to comb a sweet beard

• Iron forging

• How to raise cattle

• How to lose

Multiple Select

What were the main sources of wealth for Meroe?

• Iron smithing

• Trade

• Raising camels

• Vacation Pyramids

Multiple Choice

What was the major repeating theme for the Nubian kingdoms?

• Trade

• Cows

• Agriculture

• Roman influence

Open Ended

Why do you think trade and location at trading hubs is so good at making wealthy kingdoms? Does trade involve sharing culture?