400 C.E.

3. TIMELINE FOR KUSH, MEROE, AXUM AND EARLY EGYPT 4000 B.C.E. Nubia exists as a region south to and independent of Egypt – 4th millennia BCE Egypt’s Early Dynastic Period – 3100-2700 3000 B.C.E. Egypt’s Old Kingdom – 2700-2200 Egypt’s Middle Kingdom – 2050-1650 BCE 2000 B.C.E. Egypt made Nubia an Egyptian colony; Egyptians imported goods and people (hostages) from Nubia. Hostages were returned To Nubia as ambassadors – 2nd millennium BCE Egypt’s New Kingdom – 1550-1100 BCE Kush is established by Nubians at decline of Egypt’s New Kingdom; Capital is at Kerma – end of 2nd millennium BCE 1000 B.C.E. Kushites took Upper Egypt – 8th century BCE Kushite King Piankhy added Lower Egypt to his realm – 750 BCE Assyrians drove Kushites out of their capital – 663 BCE Egypt destroys Kerma; Kushites move their capital to Meroe (south)- 540 BCE B.C.E./C.E. Axum emerges (1st century) 100 C.E. Kushites developed their own script; culture started to reflect those they traded with (Greek, Indian, Egyptian and Sub- Saharan African.- 2nd century CE 200 C.E. 300 C.E. Kush fell to their neighbors – the Noba- Noba fell to Axum – Axum warriors destroyed Meroe – 4th century CE 400 C.E.

4. NOTES ON KUSH, MEROE, AXUM AND EARLY EGYPT • Egypt was a patriarchial/patrilineal society • Kings presided over a strictly hierachial society • Women held high status in society • Trade with Meroe made Kushites wealthy but also produced enemies • When trade with Romans declined, Kush’s economy declined • Nubia was located south of Upper Egypt • Kush eventually occupied all of Egypt • Meroe was located further south than Nubia (see map pg. 11) • Axum was located in present day Ethiopia • Axum was the first Christian state in Sub-Saharan Africa and was influenced by Hebrew culture