Civilization of Kush
Vocabulary
Nubia- Name of the Southern region of Egypt
Kush- Is another name for Nubia
Savannas- Grassy lands that stretch across Africa south of the Sahara
Kerma Kingdom- First Kingdom of Nubia; Traded with EgyptNapata- Kushite Kings ruled from this city.
Kashta and Piye- These 2 Kushite Kings conquered Egypt in 750 BC
Assyrians- This group of people took control of Kush by using Iron weapons.
Meroe- After Assyrians conquered Kush, this became the new Kush capital in the far South of Egypt
Ethiopia- On todays maps the Kingdom of Kush is located here.
Axum- This group of people conquered Kush of southern Egypt
EQ
How did the Civilization of Kush Develop?
The Kush civilization started by them invading Egypt and pushing the Egyptians back into their homeland. Even thought the Kush invaded Egypt, they still kept some of the Egyptian traditions such as burying their kings in pyramids. However, the pyramids the Kushites built were much smaller than the Egyptian pyramids.The Kush rule did not last long and they were overtaken by the Assyrians. From being defeated by the Assyrians, Kushites learned how to make iron tools. Kushites made a new capital further south to get out of the grip of the Assyrians called Meroe. This eventually became a trade center.
Why did Egypt Invade Nubia?
Egyptian pharaoh Thutmose III sent his armies into Nubia in the 1400s BCE. After a 50-year war, the Kingdom of Kerma collapsed, and the Egyptians took control of much of Nubia. They ruled Nubians for the next 100 years. During this time, the people of Nubia adapted many Egyptian ways. They began to worship Egyptian gods and goddesses along with their own. they learned how to work copper and bronze and changed Egyptian Hieroglyphics to fit their own language. As people and goods continued to pass between Nubia and Egypt, the 2 cultures mixed.