Kerma and Kush Overview

Kerma & Kush

• Kerma was a kingdom south of Egypt, with relations that fluctuated between peaceful and hostile.
• Kerma's center was the Western Deffufa, a temple-fortress.
• Egypt conquered and occupied Kerma around 2000 BCE but did not destroy it.
• Kerma regained its independence around 1700 BCE but was conquered again around 1500 BCE.
• The city of Napata was founded as an Egyptian outpost in Kush around 1475 BCE.
• Kush was ruled as a viceroyalty of Egypt until 1069 BCE.
• The independent Kingdom of Kush was founded at Napata in 1069 BCE.

The Kingdom of Kush

• Kush began to assert its economic and political influence, eventually gaining dominance over Egypt.

The Kushite 25th Dynasty of Egypt

• The Kushite Kings ruled Egypt from around 1000-591 BCE.
• King Kashta (d. 747 BCE) had enough power to make his daughter, Amenirdis I, Wife of Amun (high priestess) at Thebes. This was the same status Hatshepsut had centuries earlier.
• Kush claimed to rule all of Upper Egypt and had the military power to back it up.
• Kashta’s son Piye (d. 721 BCE) conquered Lower Egypt, uniting all of Egypt under one pharaoh.
• Kings of the 25th Dynasty are mentioned in the Biblical books of Kings II and Chronicles II.
• Shabaka (r. ca. 719-703 BCE) made Memphis the capital.
• Taharqa (r. ca. 690-664 BCE) fought against the Assyrian invasion of Egypt and established a new capital at Meroë.
• In 663 BCE, the Assyrian invasion toppled the 25th Dynasty, forcing the Kushites to retreat.
• In 591 BCE, an Egyptian invasion of Nubia forced the Kushites further south to Meroë, where they established a new kingdom.

Afrocentric Historiography

• Its basic premise is that Europeans have downplayed Africa and over-emphasized Europe in world history.
• George James' "Stolen Legacy" (1955), Molefi Kete Asante's "Afrocentricity" (1980), and Martin Bernal’s "Black Athena" (3 vols, 1987-2001) are all works of Afrocentric historiography.

Pharaonic Egypt & Ancient Nubia

• Nubia is roughly the same as modern Sudan.
• Egyptians referred to Nubia as Kush/Cush.
• Nubia was once thought to be a southern outpost of ancient Egyptian civilization.
• There was much exchange between Egypt and Nubia, but the Nubians/Kushites developed their own distinct culture.
• The name "Nubia" may come from the Ancient Egyptian word for gold, “nub.”
• Ancient Egyptians referred to Kush as “Ta-Sety” (Land of the Archers) and “Ta-Nehesy” (Land of the Black People).
• Kushite soldiers--especially archers--were considered elite warriors and were hired to serve in pharaonic armies.

Meroë

• Founded as the Kushite capital around 656 BCE by Taharqa’s descendants.
• They looked increasingly towards the east (Ethiopia and Arabia) and south (Sub-Saharan Africa) rather than north (Egypt).
• They were strong enough to withstand the Roman Empire.
• They gradually gave way to Aksum.

Aksum

• Located in Ethiopia.
• Rose to prominence around 100 CE.
• Had access to the Red Sea, Persian Gulf, and Indian Ocean trade routes.
• Converted to Christianity under King Ezana (r. 303-350 CE).
• By the 6th century CE, Aksum was considered one of the great world powers.

Ethiopian (Tewahedo) Church

• Founded around 333 CE.
• Has close ties to the Coptic (Egyptian) Church of Alexandria.
• Its Liturgical language is Ge’ez.
• Its Christology differs from the Churches of Rome (Catholic) and Constantinople (Orthodox).

Aksum, the Red Sea, and the Empires

• Aksum differed theologically from Rome.
• They were connected economically through trade.
• Aksum invaded Yemen in 520 CE.
• The Persians took Yemen in 570 CE, leading to the decline of Aksum.

Explore the rich history of the kingdoms of Kerma and Kush, including their fluctuating relations with Egypt, significant events, and lasting influence. This quiz covers the rise of Kush as a dominant power in the region and its notable rulers, particularly during the Kushite 25th Dynasty.