The New Kingdoms of Kush

Do Now 1. Take out the following: Notecard with 3 facts you learned Homework and Practice Book Page 48 List of 4 Kushite rulers and their significance 2. Take out your textbook and define the words trade network and decipher

Activity Open your textbooks to page 176 and let’s read about Democratic Values

Egypt vs Nubia Nubian communities based on herding form along the Nile River

Egypt vs Nubia Egypt takes control of trade routes in northern Nubia.

Egypt vs Nubia Northern Nubia is annexed by Egypt.

Egypt vs Nubia The kingdom of Kush is formed in southern Nubia.

Egypt vs Nubia The Kushites force the Egyptians out of Nubia and regain their independence.

Egypt vs Nubia The Kushite capital, Kerma, grows wealthy as it develops as a center of trade.

Egypt vs Nubia Egypt experiences troubles of its own as the Hyksos conquer Lower Egypt. The Kushites support the Hyksos.

Egypt vs Nubia Egyptians force the Hyksos out of Egypt, and then destroy Kush’s capital city of Kerma. WHAT!??

Egypt vs Nubia Egyptians claim control of land past the Nile’s fourth cataract.

Egypt vs Nubia Egypt’s rule over Nubia lasts for about 550 years, Kushites develop many of Egypt’s customs.

New Kingdoms of Kush The Kushites build a new capital city, called Napata, where they are free from Egyptian rule.

New Kingdoms of Kush In 780 B.C., a Nubian chieftain named Alara started a new dynasty of Kushite kings.

New Kingdoms of Kush In 750 B.C., Upper Egypt is captured by the Kushites, led by Alara’s brother, King Kashta.

New Kingdoms of Kush King Kashta’s son Piye conquers Lower Egypt and all of Egypt is under Kushite control.

Activity Open your textbook to page 183 and let’s read about Piye.

New Kingdoms of Kush Piye’s brother Shabaka rules as pharaoh, beginning Egypt’s Dynasty 25, or the Kushite dynasty.

New Kingdoms of Kush The pharaoh Taharqa rules the Kushite dynasty and directs many building projects, including temples.

New Kingdoms of Kush Kushite pharaohs rule Egypt from about 730 B.C. to 671 B.C., and help restore Egypt to its former glory.

New Kingdoms of Kush Egypt is invaded by the Assyrians, and the combined Kushite and Egyptian armies are destroyed. Taharqa and his Kushite army retreat to Napata.

Napata

New Kingdoms of Kush Napata is attacked by the Assyrians after Taharqa’s death. However, the Kushites learned new techniques about iron-making from the Assyrians. This still would help them build a new kingdom.

New Kingdoms of Kush In 591 B.C., the Kushites establish a new capital city, called Meroë, near the sixth cataract of the Nile River. They once again rebuild and the kingdom of Kush is also known as the kingdom of Meroë.

Meroë

New Kingdoms of Kush Meroë becomes an important trading center, and the Kushites from their own temples, palaces, pyramids, and customs.

New Kingdoms of Kush Meroë was located not only on the Nile River, but also at the meeting point of several overland trade routes.

Meroë trade routes

New Kingdoms of Kush Traders from southwestern Asia and from other parts of Africa traveled to Meroë for gold, cattle, cotton, wheat, and iron products.

New Kingdoms of Kush To keep track of trade records, a language was formed.

New Kingdoms of Kush Meroë gained strength through trade and good leadership. Women played an important part in governing, and many historians believe that the right to rule was passed on through the queen, not the king.

New Kingdoms of Kush Women could also be rulers, and powerful queens are even known to have led troops into battle. Amani-Shakete led her army against the mighty Roman army.

Activity Turn to page 181 of your textbook to read about the Queens of Kush.

New Kingdoms of Kush During the 200’s B.C., Greek rulers in Egypt had ordered ports built on the Red Sea. Traders began to use sea routes rather than the land routes in Meroë. Meroë’s importance as a trading center was weakened over time, and the city began to lose much of its power, importance, and wealth.

The Nile River and Red Sea

New Kingdoms of Kush Also, soldiers from the African kingdom of Axum, also known as the Axumites, begin to attack Kushite towns.

New Kingdoms of Kush The Kushites were eventually defeated by the Axumites, and by the end of the fourth century A.D., the Kushite civilization had fallen.

Nubians

Alara Started a new dynasty of Kushite kings. This began what some historians call the time of the kingdom of Napata.

Kashta Followed his brother Alara as Kush’s leader. Kashta kept a careful watch on the weakened Egypt, and in about 750 B.C., Kush captured Upper Egypt.

Piye He was the son of Kashta, and he conquered Lower Egypt. Piye’s conquest brought all of Egypt under Kushite control.

Shabaka After Piye’s death, his brother Shabaka claimed the Egyptian pharaoh’s throne. He and the Kushite pharaohs who followed him ruled as Egypt’s Dynasty 25, or the Kushite dynasty.

Taharqua Perhaps the most successful of all the Dynasty 25 pharaohs. Pharaoh Taharqa is remembered for the temples he ordered built.

Taharqua Kushite pharaoh remembered for the many temples and pyramids he ordered built Remember: Taharqua = Temples

Amani-Shakete Powerful queen who led her army against the mighty Roman army.

Activity Complete pages 49 and 50 of your Homework and Practice Book.

Wrap Up What are the 3 capitals of Nubia and Kush? Who are some of the leaders we discussed today? What are their accomplishments?