Chapter 3 Historical Foundations of Africa September 15, 2010

Early Civilizations Egypt was one of the first main civilizations because of the Nile River. Delta- is an area of land at the mouth of a river. The green banks of the Nile river is what was called the Nile River valley. The Nile is home to some of the richest land in the world.

Early Civilization The Nile floods every year and spreads rich soil over the land. The soil was so rich that the ancient Egyptian farmer could easily grow enough food for them and their families. Farming was so good in this area that not everyone had to farm.

Early Civilizations By 3500b.c two kingdoms had developed along the Nile. In 3100B.C. the two kingdoms united and Egyptian civilization started. Rules in Egypt were called Pharaohs The Nile was a big part of their survival. When farmers were not working on the land, they would be working on the irrigation for their farms.

Early Civilizations Egyptians believed in many gods. Some of the gods were the sun god, and the wind god. They all so believed in animal gods such as, jackal, snake, and crocodile. Egyptians believed that when a person died, they continued in the afterlife. Because of this the pharaohs would order the people to build pyramids, which is what they used as tombs.

Early Civilization Due to the fact that Egypt was surround by desert to the east and west not many people attacked them. It was not till 1100B.C. that forces started to attack and weaken the civilization. Assyrians and Persians started the attacks. In 332B.C. Alexander the Great finished the Kingdom off.

Early Civilization One of the other Civilization at this time was the Kush. They were trading partner and neighbor to the Egyptians. Both of them lived on the Nile Egypt took over Kush in 1500B.C. They ruled them for about 500 years and the people of Kush adopted parts of the Egyptian culture.

Early Civilization The kingdom of Kush was take over by Egypt in 1500BC Kush broke free of the Egyptians in 1000BC Kush turned around in 730BC and conquered the Egyptians. They only ruled Egypt for about 70 years till the Assyrians came in and invaded Egypt.

Early Civilization Kush still went on rule their own Kingdom and became wealthy and influential. The Kush became a powerful empire and stayed that way for about 450 years. The Roman Empire traded goods with Kush for about 50 years. As the Roman Empire declined so did the kingdom of Kush and by 300AD the people of Kush abandoned Meroe and the kingdom collapsed

Early Civilization Axum was located on the red sea and on parts of the Nile Axum became center of the trading world after the fall of the Kush Kingdom By 200AD the Kingdom of Axum was the most impressive kingdom in Africa or Southwest Asia. King Ezana was the most powerful king Axum ever had.

Early Civilization In 324AD King Ezana converted to Christianity and after this, the people of Axum also accepted Christianity In 600AD the Muslim armies took over North Africa and started the spread of Islam over Africa. Axum withstood the spread of Islam and was a “Christian Island in a Muslim sea”

Early Civilization At this time the trade that gave Axum the power was gone. Their wealth began to disappear and the people fled into the highlands of Ethiopia. The kingdom of Ethiopia replaced what was left of Axum The one lasting legacy that Axum left behind is the Christian faith of the Ethiopian people