Earliest African Civilizations
2025-10-21
- many parts of africa are isolated from other societies
- general lack of written language
Nubia
Kush
- trading partner and rival of Egypt
- closely associated with Egypt, influenced by their culture and religion
Napata period
- vibrant perion of nubian history - heavily influenced by Egypt
- Napatan king Piye conquered Egypt
- Napatans ruled Egypt until they were expelled by the Assyrians
Meroe
- Meroe was a major industrila center, producing a lot of iron
- Red Sea trade in gold, slaves, exotic luxury goods
- last Nubian civilization
Axum (Ethiopia)
- Axum was a major city and trade center
- blend of native and Yemeni cultures
- spoke/wrote Ge'ez
- connection to ancient Israel
- Queen of Sheba met with Solomon
- she was said to have come back pregnant
- kingdom established by Menelik I, son of Queen of Sheba
- much later, Ethiopia converted to christianity during the reign of Ezzana
- Ethiopia rose to prominence in the region during this time
Bantu expansion into sub-equitorial Africa
- use of iron tools spread throughout africa
- spread agriculture