What did you know about the Kingdom of Kush

The Kingdom of Kush or Nubia. Also age of empires. The Kingdom of Kush was an African Kingdom located to the south of Egypt.

Their close relationship with Egypt is evident on the walls of Egyptian tombs and temples.

Next to Egypt, Kush was the greatest ancient civilization in Africa. Kush was known for its rich gold mines Nub. Important trading hub. Egyptian goods = grain, beer, linen. Kush goods = gold, ivory, leather, timber.

The Egyptianization of Kush. Egypt often raided Kush and took control of parts of its territory. Kush paid tribute to the pharaoh while under Egypt’s control, Kush became “Egyptianized” . Kushites spoke Egyptian ,worshipped same gods/goddesses .Hired into the Egyptian Army. Kush royal family was educated in Egypt. After the collapse of the New Kingdom, Egypt fell into political chaos. At least 10 Egyptian kingdoms fought each other for power. The constant fighting made Egypt weak and unstable. In the mid – 700s B.C.E ,the kings in northern Egypt surrendered to Kush’s King Piye.

730 B.C.E Kush invaded and Egypt surrendered to King Piye. Piye declared himself Pharaoh and “Uniter, of the Two Lands” .Kushite pharaohs ruled Egypt for over 100 years. He did not destroy Egyptian culture ,but adapted .Kushites were driven out by the Assyrians. Kush Capital of Meroe.

*Meroe was safe out of Egypt’s reach since they destroyed Napata ( their previous capital ). * Important center of trade. *Production of iron.

* Broke away from Egyptian tradition. Meroe had female leadership. And worshiped an African Lion god instead of Egyptian gods.