The Importance of Nubia in the Ancient World: Historical, Geographical and Meroe
Number of pages:
10
ABSTRACT:
This is a 10 page paper discussing the historical and geographical importance of ancient Nubia. The importance of ancient Nubia, a region which existed from the First to the Sixth Cataracts along the Nile, was very much related to its conflict and economic relationship with ancient Egypt during the Old, Middle and New Kingdoms from 2550-1000 B.C. Nubia, which existed just to the south of the powerful Egyptian kingdom was very much dominated by Egypt and the Nubians adopted many of the Egyptian religious rituals and their writing system. Nubia in turn proved to be very important for the wealth of Egypt as Nubia was the center of commerce along the Nile and united the goods and regions from the south to that in Egypt in the north. In addition, the Nubian region was also a large mining area for gold and electrum as well as the production of hard rock and copper necessary for the building industry. Nubian laborers, craftsmen and archers were also valued by the Egyptians during their eras of great production and defence. Nubia further proved its importance when the New Kingdom began to collapse and Egypt was severed into rivaling states. At this time, the Nubian kings protected Thebes, reunited Egypt and ruled over both Nubia and Egypt until 663 B.C. when the Assyrians attacked. The Nubians moved south and later established the Kingdom of Meroe which continued its relationship with its southern trading partners and maintained an independence which increased the strength of the Nubian culture and writing system until 300 A.D. Overall, the Nubian region and people were responsible for much of the economic stability as a major center of trade and the continuing production of precious metals and building materials in addition to the maintenance of this trade during the end of the domination of Egypt in the region.
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