Ancient Africa: Egypt, Nubia, and Axum

Ancient Africa

• Ancient Egypt (3100 BCE - 30 BCE):
  • Pyramids, mummies, and hieroglyphics
  • Pharaonic dynasties: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, New Kingdom
  • Important figures: Ramses II, Hatshepsut, Thutmose III
• Nubia (2000 BCE - 300 CE):
  • Located in present-day Sudan
  • Kingdom of Kush, rival of Ancient Egypt
  • Pyramids at Meroe, Jebel Barkal
• Axum Empire (1st century CE - 700 CE):
  • Located in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea
  • Major center of trade and commerce
  • Introduced Christianity to Africa

Medieval Africa

• Ghana Empire (300 - 1200 CE):
  • Located in present-day Mali and Senegal
  • Major center of trade and commerce
  • Known for gold production and trans-Saharan trade
• Mali Empire (1200 - 1500 CE):
  • Founded by Sundiata Keita
  • Expanded Ghana Empire, included present-day Mali, Senegal, and Gambia
  • Famous for Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca
• Songhai Empire (1464 - 1591 CE):
  • Located in present-day Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania
  • Expanded Mali Empire, included present-day Burkina Faso and Niger
  • Famous for Sunni Ali Ber and Askia the Great

Colonial and Modern Africa

• Scramble for Africa (1881 - 1914 CE):
  • European colonization of Africa
  • Berlin Conference (1884-85) divided Africa among European powers
• Nationalist Movements (1940s - 1960s CE):
  • Independence movements across Africa
  • Notable figures: Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), Nelson Mandela (South Africa)
• Modern Africa (1960s CE - present):
  • Ongoing challenges: poverty, political instability, economic development
  • Progress in democracy, human rights, and economic growth

Ancient Africa

• Ancient Egypt: Lasted from 3100 BCE to 30 BCE, characterized by pyramids, mummies, and hieroglyphics, with three main pharaonic dynasties: Old Kingdom, Middle Kingdom, and New Kingdom.
• Notable figures of Ancient Egypt include Ramses II, Hatshepsut, and Thutmose III.
• Nubia: Located in present-day Sudan, lasted from 2000 BCE to 300 CE, and was known for the Kingdom of Kush, which rivalled Ancient Egypt.
• Nubia was home to pyramids at Meroe and Jebel Barkal.
• Axum Empire: Spanned from 1st century CE to 700 CE, located in present-day Ethiopia and Eritrea, and was a major center of trade and commerce.
• Axum Empire introduced Christianity to Africa.

Medieval Africa

• Ghana Empire: Lasted from 300 to 1200 CE, located in present-day Mali and Senegal, and was a major center of trade and commerce.
• Ghana Empire was known for its gold production and trans-Saharan trade.
• Mali Empire: Founded by Sundiata Keita, lasted from 1200 to 1500 CE, and expanded the Ghana Empire to include present-day Mali, Senegal, and Gambia.
• Mali Empire was famous for Mansa Musa's pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Songhai Empire: Lasted from 1464 to 1591 CE, located in present-day Mali, Senegal, and Mauritania, and expanded the Mali Empire to include present-day Burkina Faso and Niger.
• Songhai Empire was famous for Sunni Ali Ber and Askia the Great.

Colonial and Modern Africa

• Scramble for Africa: A period of European colonization of Africa from 1881 to 1914 CE, marked by the Berlin Conference (1884-85) which divided Africa among European powers.
• Nationalist Movements: Independence movements across Africa from the 1940s to 1960s CE, notable figures include Kwame Nkrumah (Ghana), Julius Nyerere (Tanzania), and Nelson Mandela (South Africa).
• Modern Africa: Challenges since the 1960s CE include poverty, political instability, and economic development, but there has been progress in democracy, human rights, and economic growth.

Explore the history and cultures of Ancient Egypt, Nubia, and the Axum Empire, including their notable figures, architectural achievements, and trade practices.