400 C.E B.C.E. Kush fell to their neighbors – the Noba- Noba fell to Axum – Axum warriors destroyed Meroe – 4 th century CE 300 C.E. 200 C.E. 100 C.E. Kushites developed their own script; culture started to reflect those they traded with (Greek, Indian, Egyptian and Sub- Saharan African.- 2 nd century CE Axum emerges (1 st century) B.C.E./C.E B.C.E B.C.E B.C.E. Egypt destroys Kerma; Kushites move their capital to Meroe (south ) BCE Assyrians drove Kushites out of their capital – 663 BCE Kushite King Piankhy added Lower Egypt to his realm – 750 BCE Kushites took Upper Egypt – 8 th century BCE Kush is established by Nubians at decline of Egypt’s New Kingdom; Capital is at Kerma – end of 2 nd millennium BCE Egypt made Nubia an Egyptian colony; Egyptians imported goods and people (hostages) from Nubia. Hostages were returned To Nubia as ambassadors – 2 nd millennium BCE Egypt’s New Kingdom – BCE Egypt’s Middle Kingdom – BCE Egypt’s Old Kingdom – Egypt’s Early Dynastic Period – Nubia exists as a region south to and independent of Egypt – 4 th millennia BCE 3 TIMELINE FOR KUSH, MEROE, AXUM AND EARLY EGYPT

NOTES ON KUSH, MEROE, AXUM AND EARLY EGYPT Egypt was a patriarchial/patrilineal society Kings presided over a strictly hierachial society Women held high status in society Trade with Meroe made Kushites wealthy but also produced enemies When trade with Romans declined, Kush’s economy declined Nubia was located south of Upper Egypt Kush eventually occupied all of Egypt Meroe was located further south than Nubia (see map pg. 11) Axum was located in present day Ethiopia Axum was the first Christian state in Sub-Saharan Africa and was influenced by Hebrew culture