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| d. The Kingdoms of Napata and Meroë |
| c. 780–591 |
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| THE KINGDOM OF NAPATA. Alara (c. 780–760) founded an independent Kushite dynasty with its capital at Napata. Under Piankhy (or Peye, 747–716) the Kushites sacked Memphis, and Shabako (716–702) conquered Egypt, founding the 25th (Kushite) Dynasty (747–656), which ruled from the Sixth Cataract to the Mediterranean (See 747–656). Taharka (690–664) did extensive building at Napata and campaigned as far east as Palestine. Tenuatamum (664–656) was driven from Egypt by the Assyrians, but the dynasty continued to rule in Napata. Anlamani (623–593) campaigned against the nomadic Blemmyes and was succeeded by Aspelta (593–568). In 591, Psamtek II (595–589) invaded Kush and captured Napata (See 747–656), and Aspelta moved the capital south to Meroë, near the Sixth Cataract. | 1 |
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| 591 B.C.E.–350 C.E |
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| THE KINGDOM OF MEROË. Between 591 and 270 B.C.E. Meroë became the political capital, but Meroitic rulers continued to be buried at Napata (which was recaptured) to the end of the fourth century. The Kushites worshipped Amun in the form of the lion god Apedemak. Stone temples, pyramids, and obelisks were built, and a native Meroitic building style developed. The kingdom's population was probably around 500,000. Around 525 B.C.E., Cambyses unsuccessfully attempted to conquer the kingdom (See 525–404). In the fourth century three kings left inscriptions: Ammannoteyeriké, Harsiotef, and Nastasen. The kingdom finally collapsed in the third century C.E. under the assault of the nomadic Blemmyes and by the fourth century had been absorbed by the newer kingdom of Axum. (See Africa, 500–1500) | 2 |
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