Civilization · c. 1070 BCE – 350 CE
Kingdom of Kush
The Nubian kingdom that ruled Egypt as its 25th Dynasty.
Capital: Napata, Meroë · North Africa
Overview
South of Egypt, Kush built pyramids at Napata and Meroë, ruled Egypt for nearly a century, and later developed its own Meroitic script.
Timeline
- c. 1070 BCEKingdom of Kush emerges at Napata
- c. 747 – 656 BCE25th Dynasty rules Egypt
- c. 590 BCECapital moves to Meroë
- c. 350 CEAksum overthrows Meroë
Rulers
Conquered Egypt
Rival of Assyria
Kandake who fought Rome
Wars & conflicts
- Wars with Assyria
- Wars with Rome under Augustus
Architecture
Steep-sided Nubian pyramids at Meroë, Amun temples at Naqa and Musawwarat.
Religion
Amun cult with distinctive Kushite iconography; lion god Apedemak.
Economy
Iron smelting, gold, ivory, ebony; caravan trade with Egypt and the Red Sea.
Technology
Iron industry at Meroë; hafirs (water reservoirs).
Art
Bronze head of Augustus buried under a temple threshold; distinctive royal statuary.
Influence
Nubian queens (kandakes) exercised unusual political power for the ancient world.
Decline
Aksumite invasion and shifting trade routes ended the kingdom.
Key sites
- Meroë
- Napata (Jebel Barkal)
- Naqa
- Musawwarat es-Sufra