The Civilization of Kush Chapter 2 Section 4 World History Mrs. Thompson Nubia is the region of North Africa on the east side of the Nile, just downstream from the fourth cataract. MAIN IDEA: To the south of Egypt, the Nubians settled in farming villages and became the string warriors. From Where Did They Come? Cattle herders arrived 2000 B.C. Grazed herds on savannas- grassy plains across Africa south of the Sahara Kingdom of Kerma 1.More powerful villages took over weaker ones to set up Kerma. 1.More powerful villages took over weaker ones to set up Kerma. 2. Close ties to Egypt. 3. Kerma produced: cattle, gold, ivory, and slaves for Egypt. 3. Kerma produced: cattle, gold, ivory, and slaves for Egypt. 4. Artisans made pottery, jewelry, metal goods. 5. Kings built tombs like Egyptian pharaohs. Why Did Egypt Invade Nubia? MilitaryCollapse Egyptian Rule Cultural Changes Thutmose III sent armies into Nubia in 1400s B.C. Kerma collapsed after 50 years of war. Egyptians ruled for more than 700 years. Egyptian ways were adopted: religion, copper and bronze making, hieroglyphics. Meroitic Adaptation of Heiroglyphics The system is written from right to left Total of 23 symbols included four vowels Meroitic Writing: Never Decoded The Rise of Kush Main Idea: The people of Kush devoted themselves to ironworking and grew wealthy from trade. Kings of Kush By 850 B.C., independent kingdom of Kush had formed. In Napata, caravans easily came there to carry gold, ivory, and exotic woods to Egypt. Kushite kings ruled from the capital city of Napata. Important People 750 B.C., King Kashta began conquest of Egypt and son Piye finished job to rule Kush and Egypt from Napata. KINGDOM OF KUSH King Piye: Pharaoh of Egypt Kings of Kush built temples and smaller pyramids to bury kings. Pyramids at Meroe Arts Traditionally Kushite Kings were buried in pyramids, therefore much of the time that would have otherwise been used for other arts was taken up by building these massive structures. Religion Polytheistic They worshipped Osiris, Ra and Isis Pyramids Burials Ladder to heaven Chapel Amun Ra Amun Ra was the most important God to the Kush. He was known as the sun god to both the Kush and Egyptians. Jelbel Barkel: Center of Amon Priesthood Local Gods Worshiped here Funerary Images modeled on Egypt Canoptic Jars Egyptian Influence: Queen Alakhebasken Rams Head Incorporates Egyptian Themes Arts They took after the Egyptians Advanced level of craft Pottery Jewelry 600s B.C., Assyrians invaded Egypt and pushed the Kush back south Importace of Iron Kushites learned secret of making iron from the Assyrians. First Africans to devote themselves to making iron. Used iron to make hoes and plows improving their farming. Traders took goods as far away as China and military got stronger with iron weapons. Kush and Meroe 540 B.C., they set up capital at Meroe which was further south and out of reach from the Assyrians. NEW CAPITAL AT MEROE The desert to the east contained rich deposits of iron ore and well as strategic access to the Nile. Meroe began to look like Egyptian city with pyramids. Building a Profitable Trade The Nile was crucial to the economy. Only water source. Only feasible route to sub Saharan Africa. Meroe became center of huge trading network. Temple: Meroe Trade Kushite traders received leopard skins and exotic woods from the interior of Africa and traded their own goods as well to Mediterranean and Indian Ocean civilizations. GOLDEN AGE OF KUSH 300 BC 100 AD Keys to Success location land energetic people Culture engraved walls stone pyramids developed own writing system in 300 BC (not translated yet) Relief Celebrating Meroitic Queen Colonial Period at Abu Sembel Cups from Meroe Lions Temple: Naqa Depictions on Temple face Show power Of Queens or Candake Elephant Sculpture By A.D. 200s, Kush began to weaken. Kingdom known as Axum from current-day Ethiopia burned Meroe to the ground in A.D. 350.