Sudanese history: Kingdom of Kush
The Kingdom of Kush
Thousands of years ago Sudan was known as the Kingdom of Kush. Established in 2000 BC, it was a wealthy and prosperous civilization along the Blue and White Niles. Kushites, as they were called, often traded ivory and other valued goods from southern Africa.
Around 1500 BC, the Egyptian army invaded and conquered the Kingdom of Kush. For the next 500 years, Kushites were under the rule of the Egyptian Pharaoh until they claimed their freedom around 1000BC. The Kushites became so powerful that they even took over Egypt for awhile, before being driven out.
Meroe
Meroë is the ancient city that was the wealthy capital of the Kingdom of Kush. The city had a strong trade partnerships with China and India and a strong iron industry. At that time, iron was one of the most important metals worldwide, and Meroitic metalworkers were said to be the best in the known world. The city was also a producer of cotton and gold goods.
It is widely believed that Alexander the Great and his forces made their way into Meroë. After witnessing the brilliant military formation of the Meroë army led by Queen Candace, Alexander concluded it would be best to withdraw his forces.
Today, the site of the city of Meroë is marked by more than two hundred pyramids spread out in three different groups. Many of these pyramids exist in ruins now.
Highlights
Legend has it that the Kushites are the oldest race on earth
Kushites developed their own language, and eventually their own script
Kush kings were often succeeded by their queens (this was not common in other major civilizations)
One of the largest of the pyramids built for the rulers of Kush was for a woman, Queen Shanakdakheto