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The Nubian Kingdoms. 1. The Region of Nubia. Geography South of Egypt Nile River ran through the middle Rocky mountains made up the terrain. b. Resources Land was not suited for farming Had great mineral wealth Mined gold, granite and precious stones These could be exported and sold
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1. The Region of Nubia • Geography • South of Egypt • Nile River ran through the middle • Rocky mountains made up the terrain
b. Resources • Land was not suited for farming • Had great mineral wealth • Mined gold, granite and precious stones • These could be exported and sold • Location allowed for trade throughout the region to follow through it
c. People • Expert traders • Skilled pottery makers • Expert archers • Egyptians called Nubia “The Land of the Nine Bows” • Some Egyptian governments hired Nubian archers as police and soldiers
d. Early History • Nubian Kingdom formed around the same time as the Old Kingdom in Egypt • Possessed great wealth • Traded with Egypt and other lands • Egypt’s Middle Kingdom will conquer much of northern Nubia • Nubians will adopt some elements of Egyptian culture including their religion and building style
2. Growth of Kush • Beginnings • Developed in southern Nubia during the Middle Kingdom • Based around the city of Kerma • Around 1700 B.C. seized opportunity to grow when Middle Kingdom collapsed • Will rule all of Nubia
iv. Made an alliance with the Hyksos • Alliance will increase trade • Wealth helped the Nubians create magnificent royal tombs v. Egyptians will invade Kush in 1550 B.C. and will add the land to their empire
B. Kushites in Egypt • Egypt ruled Kush for 400 years • By 1100 B.C. the Kush were free from Egyptian control • 700 B.C. a new Kushite kingdom began to develop strength • Capital was Napata
v. Piankhi or Piye • Led Kushites north • Seen as both compassionate and ruthless • Conquered all of Egypt
c. Kushite Culture • Saw themselves as the guardians of Egyptian traditions • Had bodies mummified and buried in pyramids • Adopted Egyptian hieroglyphics as their own writing system • Kept some of their own culture • For example: their style of dress
3. Later Kush • Meroe • A major city in Kush • Became the new capital • Iron Industry • Iron became a large and profitable industry • Goods were shipped throughout the Nile Valley
c. Later Kushite Culture • Continued to build pyramids • No longer used hieroglyphics • Developed their own alphabet and writing system • We do not know how to translate this system
iv. Role of Women • Unclear • Based on carvings, women appear to have a high status • Some pyramids were for women; suggests some were rulers
d. Decline • Trade decline in 200 A.D. • Contributed to the kingdom’s downfall • Several Factors • Increased competition • Reduced demand for goods • Continued raids from outsiders, disturbed trade routes • Environmental Issues • Need wood for the smelting process to forge iron • This had taken a toll on the surrounding forests • Kingdom collapsed in 350 A.D.