The Civilization of Kush

1
The Civilization of Kush

• Chapter 2
• Section 4

2
Cool Fact

• The upper class in ancient Egypt had indoor
  bathrooms, though they did not have running
  water. Think about it.

3
Nubia

• The region of Nubia, later known as Kush, was
  located south of Egypt on the Nile River.
• 1st people to arrive in Nubia were cattle
  herders, who grazed their herds on the savanna.
• Savanna grassy plain.
• Later farmers settled in villages in Nubia.
• More powerful Nubian villages took control of
  weaker ones, and the kingdom of Kerma was
  created.
• Kings of Kerma were buried in tombs like the
  Egyptian pharaohs.
• Egypt invaded Kerma, and after 50 years of war,
  Kerma was defeated.
• During the Egyptian rule, the people of Kerma
  adopted many Egyptian ways.

4
Discussion Question

• Before the invasion by Egypt, how did the people
  of Kerma help the Egyptians?
• The people of Kerma traded with the Egyptians and
  served as warriors in the Egyptian armies.

5
The Rise of Kush

• Nubians broke away from Egypt and formed their
  kingdom called, Kush.
• The Kushite kings ruled from city of Napata,
  which is located along the upper Nile.
• This location helped Kush people become important
  traders, and Kush grew wealthy.
• Kashta and his son, Piye, conquered Egypt in 728
  B.C.
• Assyrians then later invaded Egypt and forced
  Kushites out.
• Kushites learned iron working from Assyrians.
• Kushites were the 1st Africans to become iron
  workers.
• The Kush moved the ruling city south to the city
  Meroe, farther away from the Assyrians.
• Meroe become an important center of trade and
  iron working.
• Kushite kings rebuilt Meroe to look like an
  Egyptian city, with pyramids and temples.
• Kush eventually declined in power.
• The kingdom of Axum arose in what is today
  Ethiopia.
• Axum invaded Meroe and burned it to the ground.

6
Discussion Question

• How did iron working skills help the Kushites?
• They could make farming tools with iron.
• These superior tools helped them grow more crops.
• They also could make iron spears and swords.
• Traders also traded iron to other peoples.