Chapter 2 Ancient Egypt

Chapter 2 Ancient Egypt

Section 4

The Civilization of Kush

Sphinx of Kushite King, Taharqa: 2 Cobras one for each Kingdom (Egypt and Kush)

Bell Ringer

Kush

Nubia

The region of Nubia, later known as Kush, was located south of Egypt on the Nile River.

The first people to arrive in Nubia were cattle herders, who grazed their herds on the savanna.

A savanna is a grassy plain.

Later, farmers settled in villages in Nubia

Nubia

More powerful Nubian villages took control of weaker ones, and the Kingdom of Kerma was created.

People of Kerma traded with the Egyptians, and Kerma became wealthy.

The kings of Kerma were buried in tombs like the Egyptian pharaohs.

NubiaEgypt invaded Kerma, and after 50 years of war, Kerma was defeated.

During Egyptian rule, the people of Kerma adopted many of the Egyptian ways.

Review Questions

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

The Rise of Kush

Nubians broke away from Egypt and formed their own kingdom called Kush.

The Kushite kings ruled from the city of Napata, which was located along the upper Nile.

This location helped the Kush people become important traders, and Kush grew wealthy.

The Rise of KushA king named Kashta and his son, Piye conquered Egypt in 728 B.C.

The Assyrians later invaded Egypt and forced the Kushites out.

The Kushites learned iron working from the Assyrians.

The Kushites were the first Africans to become iron workers.

The Rise of Kush

Kush moved the ruling city south to the city of Meroë, farther away from the Assyrians.

Meroë became an important center of trade and iron working.

Kushite kings rebuilt Meroë to look like Egypt, with pyramids and temples.

The Rise of Kush

Kush eventually declined in power, and the kingdom of Axum rose in its place.

Axum invaded Meroë and burned it to the ground.

The End of Egypt Video Clip

Kush Temple dedicated to King Piye

who conquered Eygpt in 724 BC

Shwabtis or Stone Servantsof King Taharqa (Kush)

Review Questions

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.

Review Questions

Who were the Nubians?

The Nubians were cattle herders in the savannas and founders of Kerma.

Review Questions

What were the Kushites’ most important economic activities?

The Kushites’ most important economic activities were trade and ironworking.

Review Questions

Geography Skills Why was Napata’s location advantageous?

It was located at a point where trade caravans crossed the Nile.

Review Questions

Analyze How did the Kushite kings demonstrate their admiration for Egyptian culture?

They built similar monuments, temples, and pyramids.

Interesting Facts

After developing their method of papermaking using papyrus, the Egyptians kept the process secret, so others could not make paper. In this way, papyrus became even more valuable.

The city of Thebes contains more than 60 tombs. One of the first archaeological digs in Thebes occurred in 1816. Four archaeological expeditions are currently at work in the area.

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

Hieroglyphs Video Clip