| Kush and Axum |
| The Kushite civilization was divided into two phases, each with a different capital. The Kingdom of Napata flourished between 800 and 600/300 b.c. The Kingdom of Meroe flourished between 600/300 b.c. and a.d 350. During the Middle and New Kingdom periods, Egypt conquered Nubia with its two provinces. The north was called Wawat, and the south was called Kush, hence the name Kushite civilization. Both provinces became part of the Egyptian civilization. The origins of the Kushite civilization, which flourished after the decline of the New Kingdom period, lay in a state of which little is known. However, it is the oldest known kingdom in Africa outside of Egypt. The first phase the Kingdom of Napata was rich in gold resources. The wealth gained from trade of these resources gave rise to this new political power. By the eighth century, the Kushites invaded Egypt and ruled most of Egypt for more than 50 years, until 671 b.c. The Kushites established their own dynasty of kings in Egypt. The Kushites were expelled from Egypt by a powerful people from the East, the Kushites became increasingly isolated from Egypt and the rest of the Mediterranean. The Kingdom of Napata was closely connected to the Egyptian civilization. As a result, it was highly Egyptianized. The Egyptian influence can be seen in their architecture, religion, and use of the Egyptian hieroglyphic script. The Napatan rulers, in fact, saw them selves as Egyptian. The effects of the introduction of iron by the Assyrians south into Kush marks the beginning of a new powerful phase of the Kushite Civilization. |