BeforeBefore

Complete your circle graph from Complete your circle graph from yesterday. -Comparing Egyptian and yesterday. -Comparing Egyptian and Mesopotamian Civilizations. Mesopotamian Civilizations.

Chapter 2 / Section 4Chapter 2 / Section 4The CivilizationThe Civilization

Of KushOf Kush

Nubia (pgs. 69 & 70)Nubia (pgs. 69 & 70) The region of The region of NubiaNubia (noo*bee*uh), later (noo*bee*uh), later

known as known as KushKush, was located south of , was located south of Egypt on the Nile River.Egypt on the Nile River.

Around 2000 B.C., the first people to Around 2000 B.C., the first people to arrive in Nubia were cattle herders arrive in Nubia were cattle herders whose herds grazed on the whose herds grazed on the savannasavanna – a – a grassy plain.grassy plain.

They were excellent hunters and began They were excellent hunters and began forming armies.forming armies.

Kingdom of KermaKingdom of Kerma Powerful Nubian villages took control of Powerful Nubian villages took control of

weaker ones, and created the kingdom weaker ones, and created the kingdom of of KermaKerma (kar*muh). (kar*muh).

Became wealthy trading with EgyptiansBecame wealthy trading with Egyptians

Kings of Kerma were buried in tombs Kings of Kerma were buried in tombs like Egyptian pharaohs.like Egyptian pharaohs.

Egyptians Invade NubiaEgyptians Invade Nubia Thutmose III invaded Nubia in the 1400s Thutmose III invaded Nubia in the 1400s

B.C. After a 50 year war, Kerma was B.C. After a 50 year war, Kerma was defeated.defeated.

Egyptians ruled Nubia for the next 700 Egyptians ruled Nubia for the next 700 years.years.

People of Nubia adopted many of the People of Nubia adopted many of the Egyptian ways.Egyptian ways.

The Rise of Kush (pgs. 70 & 72)The Rise of Kush (pgs. 70 & 72) By 850 B.C., Nubians broke away from By 850 B.C., Nubians broke away from

Egypt and formed their own kingdom Egypt and formed their own kingdom called called KushKush..

Kushite kings ruled from the city of Kushite kings ruled from the city of NapataNapata (na*puh*tuh). (na*puh*tuh).

A king named A king named KashtaKashta (kahsh*tuh) and (kahsh*tuh) and his son, his son, PiyePiye (PY) conquered Egypt in (PY) conquered Egypt in 728 B.C.728 B.C.

The Importance of IronThe Importance of Iron Kush’s rule of Egypt did not last long Kush’s rule of Egypt did not last long

because the because the AssyriansAssyrians invaded Egypt invaded Egypt during the 600s B.C.during the 600s B.C.

Assyria’s superior iron weapons drove Assyria’s superior iron weapons drove the Kushites back to their homeland.the Kushites back to their homeland.

The Kushites learned iron working from The Kushites learned iron working from the the AssyriansAssyrians..

The Kushites were the first Africans to The Kushites were the first Africans to become iron workers.become iron workers.

A New CapitalA New Capital About 540 B.C., Kush moved the ruling About 540 B.C., Kush moved the ruling

city south to the city of city south to the city of MeroeMeroe (mehr*oh*ee).(mehr*oh*ee).

Kushite kings rebuilt Meroe to look like Kushite kings rebuilt Meroe to look like Egypt, with pyramids and temples.Egypt, with pyramids and temples.

Kush remained a great trading power Kush remained a great trading power for some 600 years.for some 600 years.

By the A.D. 200s, Kush began to By the A.D. 200s, Kush began to decline in power.decline in power.

The kingdom of The kingdom of AxumAxum, located in what , located in what is today Ethiopia, invaded Meroe and is today Ethiopia, invaded Meroe and burned it to the ground.burned it to the ground.