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The Kingdom of Kush: A proper introduction [Illustrated]


Sundiata
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1 hour ago, Sundiata said:

@wowgetoffyourcellphone Sounds a little complicated. Why not just 1 pyramid for town phase, 2 pyramids for city phase? And territory bonus for the civic center where the pyramid/pyramids are built.

I don't think what I proposed is all that complicated, just different from what the other civs do.

 

I like the M250 temple. Could call it Temple of Victory and make it Wonder.

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@Loki1950 Thanks, I never used the term "ram" before. However, I refer to the images @Sundiata shared in the post "Temple Meroe 250" , that is quite a unique characteristics. But, by looking at the post again he mentioned: "On the right is a ram statue (representing Amun, protecting a smaller image of Taharqa, from the processional entrance road to the Amun temple at Kawa."

Taharaqa was a pharaoh of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty and at the same time king of the Kingdom of Kush. Depicting Amun as ram is not what the Egyptians used to do, that is something specific to Kushites. The question is why did they choose a ram and why does this ram has this specific horn form? Is there any sheep breed with similar horn forms in Sudan?

 

 

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  • 2 weeks later...

The Kingdom of Kush, an Illustrated update

 

I present some more visual references of some details including pyramids, jewelry, pottery and other more random things.  

 

Random things

Firstly, yet another Kushite temple to Amun from Tabo, on Argo Island in the Nile, measuring 75.6 metres (248 ft) long and 31 metres (102 ft) wide. On the right is a statue of King Natakamani, found in Tabo.

58bebb7dab5b2_AmuntempleatTabowithstatueofNatakamani.thumb.jpg.29b3af2baaa77a89c66712a771d481d0.jpg

 

This copper-alloy statue of an unidentified Kushite king was discovered at Tabo on Argo Island within the court of the Great Temple in a pit. Note the thumb-bring, indicating the importance of archery, even for royals.

58bebc46e4f8f_Thiscopper-alloystatuetteofanunidentifiedKushitekingwasdiscoveredatTaboonArgoIslandwithinthecourtoftheGreatTempleinapitinthelouvre1.thumb.jpg.28a6fd869f199efae9c596e48ffe5abe.jpg

 

Kushite offering tables, used for the pouring of libation. Often found at temple sites. Note the Meroitic script lining the edges. 

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On the left and right, we see Kushite altars. In the middle, we see an elaborate temple relief/sculpture depicting Amun in the form of a Ram, flanked by 2 lions representing Apedemak.

58bebd64bee83_Kushitealtarandtempledecoration.thumb.jpg.d7ab109bf2f9e449b867fbbfdecb73ef.jpg

 

Remnants of a colonnade of a large temple at Naqa, depicting the god Bes. 

nag04.jpg.6209f11fab106cf2820e3fac44aa4b6c.jpg

 

An actual picture of the now lost fresco from the shrine to victory in the royal city in Meroe, depicting a Roman soldier, alongside Egyptian and Nubian captives. This is the same shrine where the bronze head of Emperor Augustus was found.

58bebe1146063_RomancaptiveMeroe.thumb.jpg.b8e7b0c6433b5ff56ef1c6078ce7417c.jpg

 

Some more Pyramids 

The lesser known pyramids at Gebel Barkal, close to Napata.

58bebed4a0983_GebelBarkalpyramids1.thumb.jpg.e8f88218c0de2aaf4aacf1e3f50fe3c8.jpg

 

Meroitic pyramids in a relatively intact state (late 19th to early 20th century).

58bebf4f4c4dd_Meroiticpyramids2.thumb.jpg.9e091d2701a44a525127879e2a3831d3.jpg

 

Pyramid field at Meroe

58bebfb11f3bc_Meroepyramids.jpg.b046250cd25203e5f958808677c18d60.jpg

 

Pyramid fields of El Kurru and Nuri.

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Kushite Pottery 

Kushites were excellent potters, and their pottery was desired and exported on a large scale to Egypt and other surrounding area's since predynastic times, well in to Roman times.

Here's a selection of Meroitic pottery:

58bec09d2302a_Meroepottery1.thumb.jpg.abf41d7d730f68cb01408cc8e9dbc1bb.jpg

58bec0adcfaf0_Meroepottery5.thumb.jpg.91dd960780f091b3bdff71e1d6d91faf.jpg

58bec0c5071e7_Meroepottery3.thumb.jpg.1b917e12b119ba2c5a8fc75f8b29b855.jpg

58bec0d7c3540_Meroepottery2.thumb.jpg.3f24479525540e53175849f28e7357d9.jpg

58bec0e305d2a_Meroepottery4.thumb.jpg.d5c54eb70a68122c5f763f2b2022c952.jpg

 

Kushite Jewelry

Kushites were also excellent jewelers, and were world renowned for their gold. Most of the graves and pyramids had been looted in antiquity, but not all of them. The pyramid of Kandake Amanishakheto (reigned c. 10BC - 1AD), plundered by Giueseppe Ferlini, proved to be one of the most extensive Kushite treasures ever found. Here I present some of her jewelry, alongside other beautiful examples of Kushite metallurgy.

Amanishakheto herself, on the left, and one of her crowns (center) and bracelets (right)

58bec2a3c0d02_Amanishakhetoandhercrownandbracelet.thumb.jpg.2dce985524c6925752d508a7fcb74a42.jpg  

 

More of Amanishakheto's bracelets.

58bec2fb099e3_Amanishakhetobracelets.thumb.jpg.d257d72b2a5e438fe275f348f341f16e.jpg

 

Kushite earings

58bec3789a698_Kushiteearings.thumb.jpg.bff28cf14df99c24389a79f5901d8d71.jpg

 

Kushite pendants. On the left is a Ram's head with an uraeus, representing Amun. Second from left a lion/ram sphinx, third from left is a ram's head on top of a crystal and on the right a lion's head placed on top of a circle of golden baboons. 

58bec3992d3e7_Kushitependants.thumb.jpg.006e250844ca52d0dc5c8821345bf586.jpg

 

On the left are signet rings, worn by people of authority, used as stamp of authenticity on documents. On the right is another bracelet.

58bec48d4b100_Kushitesignetringsandbracelet.thumb.jpg.0447cc6d734bf0aff4a43f6e09cfa9f2.jpg

 

On the left and right are shield-rings. Center-left is a heavy bronze anklet. Center-right is a pendant with "magic" potion inside a hollowed out crystal, topped with a golden image of Hathor.

58bec4f5d117d_Shieldringsankletandpendant.thumb.jpg.0e4185349c5d12aaaecae1e87642ca9b.jpg

58bec5d2abddd_Headwearoftherulers(qore)ofKush.jpg.115f54af8619e2ec42ed5f863a479c24.jpg

 

 

 

Edited by Sundiata
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  • 3 weeks later...

The Kingdom of Kush: A Random Update

I will soon be posting two rather lengthy updates, one will be about Kushite people (how they depicted themselves, and how others depicted them), as well as their military. The other will be about yet another eligible candidate for the wonder, namely the massive Kushite cult site known as Musawwarat es-Sufra. A large, multi temple complex, surrounded by many large walled courtyards, featuring fruit gardens, store rooms, worksites and even possible palaces. Built in the middle of nowhere, 35 miles from the Nile, this archaeological curiosity has no parallel in the entire Nile Valley.  

But before I do that, I will wet the appetite with some random finds, that might be interesting to some:

My last post on pyramids, I promise...

A detailed map showing the pyramids of the Northern Necropolis at Meroe. Each pyramid is numbered, and these are the numbers used to refer to them in academia.  

58d5a0b73a1ad_ScreenShot2017-03-23at14_17_45.thumb.png.5833823a36df27ce635df9d30e061ebd.png

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"Proposed finished appearance of a Meroitic pyramid with the use of different colours and decoration according to evidence found on remaining structures"

58d5a2f755afc_ProposedfinishedappearanceofaMeroiticpyramidwiththeuseofdifferentcoloursanddecorationaccordingtoevidencefoundonremainingstructures.png.0e315384db6befdb87997672fe58ee03.png

 

A detailed temple reconstruction from Naqa

58d5a77a95ee2_Naqatemple.thumb.png.5d0bbc517d0011443b618a366e284dd1.png

The actual ruins of Temple 200

58d5a7a257400_ScreenShot2017-03-23at14_08_30.thumb.png.c4980787471aa85ac49d80b34c14ccd6.png

 

A Kushite altar in context

58d5a7f48e49e_ScreenShot2017-03-23at14_07_03.png.803d09e0ed070aa00d26ae990ec974c1.png

 

"The Painted dais and small altar in a side room of the Amun Temple, [Naqa]"

58d5a8373057a_ThePainteddaisandsmallaltarinasideroomoftheAmunTempleNaqa.png.0d1f6dc44711ddd8b08f163705186abf.png

 

This piece particularly underscores the familiarity of the Kushites with the Hellenistic world. Found inside pyramid 24 at Meroe, an Athenian vessel inscribed by the potter Sotades, in the form of an Amazon rider. The neck of the vessel depicts Greeks and Thracians in a fighting scene. It dates to the late 5th century BCE, and is currently in the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston. Curiously, some other ceramics sometimes attributed to Sotades found in Greece actually depict black Africans, but more on that in the following posts.

SotadesMeroeVase.thumb.jpg.63887aeb550b7e4aa307a49d75fa2c97.jpg

 

Two examples of snake-shaped Kushite rings

58d5a89db2c70_Kushitesnakerings.thumb.jpg.cd0eb83aede24e34bf265b115c85f11d.jpg

 

"Once part of an elaborately decorated horse harness, [these are] of a group of plaques showing a bounding lion in raised relief. All were originally gilded. Meroe pyramid 16 II"

58d5a9c13d40c_Oncepartofanelaboratelydecoratedhorseharnessthisisoneofagroupofplaquesshowingabounding-nraisedrelief.AllwereoriginallygildedMeroepyramid16II.thumb.jpg.679539ae3135c4edb57a41dd87da68a7.jpg

 

Lastly, I wanted to share this picture of the Amun temple in Naqa to highlight a specific detail: The lower part of the exterior brick wall as well as parts of the stone doorway are clearly still partially covered in the typical hard white lime-plaster, that would have probably entirely covered most important buildings (brick or stone).

58d5aa629061d_ScreenShot2017-03-23at14_03_38.thumb.png.1f2471fcebe2c3c043f96c0e49bcf991.png

 

Edited by Sundiata
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Musawwarat es-Sufra: A Kushite cult center

An aerial shot of the Great Enclosure at Musawwarat es-Sufra, not only showing the ruins, but also the unique landscape. 

58dab93eb5314_ScreenShot2017-03-24at18_12_38.thumb.png.5c0f1ca02d68d1b31216103408177a65.png

 

Musawwarat es-Sufra was a large temple complex and cult center in the Western Butana, 20km from Naqa. It doesn't quite resemble anything found in the Nile Valley so far. In fact it is not even built by the Nile, but lies 35km to the east of it, in the Wadi es-Sufra, a seasonal river that turns into a rapid stream during the yearly rains. The complex features temples, courtyards, fruit-gardens, water-reservoirs, workshops, kitchens, store-rooms, possible royal residences and long walled corridors, perhaps separating royals pilgrims from commoners, as well as a smaller secular enclosure. The Kushites themselves called this place "Aborepi", in ancient Meroitic.    

 

A map of Musawwarat es-Sufra showing the Great Enclosure (I A), the Small Enclosure (I B), the Lion Temple (II C), the Great Hafir (II H) and the Small Hafir (I E)

58dab926b7249_ScreenShot2017-03-23at13_03_07.thumb.png.7e04dc06d31c6c7342f7c0c4b4f939f5.png

 

Detailed map of the Great Enclosure

GreatEnclosure_Gesamtplan-01_900px.thumb.jpg.bb65f6118f167f17b2ab82e27e6f94f4.jpg

 

The earliest known structure from Musawwarat is the Great Hafir, a massive water reservoir built to capture surface runoff from the Wadi es-Sufra's seasonal water-flow. With a diameter of 250 meters and walls reaching 11- 12 meters, it is the largest hafir known in Sudan, and seems to have been built during the Napatan Period between the 6th and the 4th centuries BCE. It's sheer scale is somewhat of an enigma, considering the apparent absence of any significant settlement outside of the Small Enclosure dating to the Meroitic period. The absence of Meroitic graves in the valley also indicate that burial at this site was not allowed.

 

Some of the earliest modern depictions of the site.

58dab92ea8cc1_ScreenShot2017-03-23at13_06_29.thumb.png.5cc82967db4bfda8ac00f63cc9cd79be.png

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Most of the current ruins found at Musawwarat (the Great Enclosure and the Lion Temple) date to the Meroitic period, and were built during the third century BCE. Parts of the Great Enclosure do overlay older Napatan ruins.

The specific function of this site has been a greatly contested subject. Many theories exist, including:

  • A royal hunting abode, the large courtyards supposedly being used to house wild animals. 
  • An elephant training center, because of it's layout of large courtyards (holding pens?) and ramps, and a significant amount elephant depictions found here, and the fact that Greek/Ptolemaic expeditions "sometimes numbering hundreds of men", came to this area specifically to acquire war elephants during the 3rd century BCE. 
  • A royal palace, because of the idea that at least some of these structures were (non-permanent) royal residences, thought to feature a throne room. 
  • Or simply as a large cult center, hosting major religious festivals drawing in countless people and royals on regular basis.

I'm inclined to believe there is at least some truth to all of the aforementioned theories.      

A historical reconstruction of temple 300 in the Great Enclosure. 

58dab90a11d1c_ScreenShot2017-03-23at12_58_21.thumb.png.86716bc9674cb381ccf63bfe0220a8d8.png

The actual ruins of temple 300

58dab945dffbd_ScreenShot2017-03-24at18_13_39.thumb.png.7573c026a6615fe43cd7fd07bbabb92d.png

 

The Small (secular) enclosure.

58dab9178552f_ScreenShot2017-03-23at13_00_06.thumb.png.d54a5c3606c38de98703675046ed8347.png

58dab9113c01f_ScreenShot2017-03-23at12_59_44.thumb.png.54dad866dc7736183bd76c6676f8b480.png

 

More details of the Great Enclosure

58dab9558eb9e_ScreenShot2017-03-28at19_08_33.thumb.png.20d508c8301972b4f2d5225d630d67c3.png

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58dab8fc927ac_Musawwaratessufra1.thumb.jpg.80dee5a68716f3d437310e5075c17c4e.jpg

sudan_swiatynia.jpg.5df8a595c06a0cde1a132465b5279b29.jpg

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The following images are from the Zamani project. The Zamani project is a research group at the University of Cape Town and part of the African Cultural Heritage Sites and Landscapes Database. As with many other sites across the continent, they have created a detailed 3d model of the great Enclosure. 

EnclosurePoster.jpg.a6349b5b8c4338f456bcc48af7757ced.jpg

Great_Enclosure_4MioSnap02.png.c2a059034d9a43799d9b6c45d82e5290.png

Great_Enclosure_4MioSnap04.png.d81a00d52c0a84ca1c139bd5accb9261.png

Temple_100_3Mio_cleanedSnap02.png.20638af4c2ecb5c989c8d72e77bbf9dd.png

Temple_100_3Mio_cleanedSnap03.png.9446ce6121f3120f39a20e9ce343740a.png

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A unique Kushite feature is the incorporation of statues as columns for supporting roofs, often depicting deities. This example is from Musawwarat. 

58dab902bf171_ScreenShot2017-03-23at12_55_55.thumb.png.ddbd699b7d4aa24365be7b9f59a2ff92.png

 

The Elephants of Musawwarat:

58dac4f1790bd_ElephantreliefTempleofApedemakMusawwarat.jpg.3d8ad814a0e89f15750afe42a550086e.jpg

58dac4f48c96b_Elephantsmusawwaratessufrawithboundprisoners.thumb.jpg.48db8cf4de20dd4675965682b7ed1776.jpg

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58dac4f323f20_ElephantstatueatMusawwaratesSufra.thumb.jpg.68aa641698601c75a6c65c84c92e22ec.jpg

Graffiti-Elefant.jpg.1695c4637f97073db76506233af65282.jpg

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This final image depicts a Kushite god of fertility, riding an elephant. Although it's still not conclusive evidence of Meroites using elephants in warfare, these depictions are changing my mind about including a simple elephant unit for Kush, which would be a helpful addition for siege.

p321f53.jpg.59476c042f802706eedecedf5aa9e498.jpg

ft0000035f_fig4.jpg

Edited by Sundiata
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@Sundiata, here’s what I have gathered from the Osprey book, Rome’s Enemies (5): The Desert Frontier by David Nicolle, published in 1991.

- Spears and bows were the basic weapons. Many bronze weapons were still in use in Meroitic Kush, along with iron. Melee infantry would have used great oval oxhide shields, and fought with broad-headed spears, axes, and occasionally Greco-Roman-style short swords.

- Archers used leather quivers containing stone-and-iron-tipped wood or cane arrows (sometimes poisoned)

- Many warriors would have had tattoos and scarred faces.

- It seems that the Meroitic Kushites used elephants in ceremonies, and perhaps also occasionally in warfare. The kind of elephants used would probably have been the now-extinct North African elephant (Loxodonta africana pharaoensis) and/or the desert variation of the African bush elephant (Loxodonta africana africana).

- Fortifications were built on pre-existing Egyptian structures, or else consisted of huge 3-storied citadels made of whitewashed mud-brick.

I'm not sure what kind of cavalry Meroe would have had, but the book The Nubian Past: An Archaeology of Sudan by David N. Edwards, published in 2004, states that relief carvings suggest the warlike use of horses, and that several Meroitic kings were buried with horse harness. Make of that what you will. :)

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@Zophim thanks a lot. Your research is very valuable and helpful.

The following to sentences are interesting:

18 hours ago, Zophim said:

relief carvings suggest the warlike use of horses

do you know which relief carvings David N. Edwards was referencing here?

18 hours ago, Zophim said:

several Meroitic kings were buried with horse harness

are those horse harnesses preserved? Are there more information about it?

 

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The People of Kush: An Illustrated Update

 

The following post will be a lengthy visual reference guide to the people of Kush, as depicted by themselves, Ancient Egyptians, Greeks, Romans and Assyrians. Please note that many images have already been shared in previous posts, so I will be concentrating only on those images that haven't been shared yet.

 

Kushites through their own eyes

The following images all date to approximately 700BCE to 200AD. 

One of several thousand shabti's from Taharqa's tomb

58e647bc23230_StoneShabtiforKingTaharqaSudanKushitePeriod25thDynastyc690-664BC.png.e4acfa585b09d9d1e6e8f01df91273f2.png

 

More of Tahrqa's Shabti's

58e648009e4e2_TaharqaShabtis.thumb.jpg.214304f65e72df98f6edeb1a5666d769.jpg

 

A Kushite statue probably depicting Taharqa

a864da365f04d134a7d7445a74e654e8.jpg.f6fed6d7075f251174c5239470d666a6.jpg

 

Taharqa

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Taharqa

58e648019eb34_TaharqaStatue.jpg.481c4eab8e96f9acc4afcb1b1e40a415.jpg

 

Aspelta 600-580BCE

58e647c29803d_Aspelta600-580BC.jpg.a7fe0a6080b54250d5bc768f7c98f2ce.jpg

 

Aspelta

Aspelta.thumb.jpg.fc4c5e67d383880011ec7de8f446bb33.jpg

 

Statue depicting Queen Shanakdakhete of Meroe

Statue-Depicting-Queen-Shanakdakhete-of-Meroe.png.e6265b999e4deaf7a4235bc3f22fae96.png

 

Statue of Horemakhet, son of Shabaqo, High Priest of Amun in Thebes, during the 25th dynasty rule of Kush

58e647ccce368_HoremakhetstatuesonofShabaqoHighPriestofAmuninThebesEgyptianclothesKushitefacialexpression.thumb.jpg.4cc6885ae6bb6d936d207905c3b88bbb.jpg

 

Statuette of Taharqa

58e647f6dff06_StatuetteofaKushiterulerprobablyTaharqa.thumb.jpg.6ccb9109b5845ebc6a04dd018c17f19a.jpg

 

King Shabaka

king-shabaka-pharaoh.jpg.8e13e92960958659905c055c6a3d42b3.jpg

 

Unspecified Kushite ruler

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Unspecified Kushite ruler

slide301323233167654.jpg.626de9fd7fd6ce4c4681c4ba191a9c39.jpg

 

Maleton, governor of Karanog

58e647d1ec289_MeletongovernorofKaranogLowerNubia.jpg.70a561f6c6b670592a6b171964df313a.jpg

 

Queen Amanitore and King Natakamani being blessed by Apedemak

58e647c01418c_AmanitoreandNatakamani.jpg.9728ad08e5dacc4b7a03588b5178d7cc.jpg

 

Queen Amanishakheto and Amanirenas(?) or Amanitore (?)

ancient-african-kingdom-of-kush-239-638.jpg.e35c5453f41ac32d1825b209bd6e14b0.jpg

 

Amanishakheto observing stellar movements. Astronomy was probably a central aspect of Kushite religion.

Fig-5-Amanishakheto.jpg.ca8f7c25ecdea0ad2e4e5e45ea07c076.jpg

 

Funerary stela of Meteye. The swastika on the ladies dress is another possible clue to ancient Indian influence. 

58e647c9c222c_FuneraryStelaofMeteye.jpg.b0e17e20b282fbb6da12072c86d564a1.jpg

 

Offering of milk to a Meroitic ruler and/or god

58e647c598ad0_DailylifeinMeroiticKush.thumb.jpg.99368c744ca30bcee8ed8a15a912738e.jpg

 

Stela of Queen Amanishakheto and the goddess Amesemi, found in the hypostyle hall of an Amun Temple

58e647fb4bfb3_StelaofQueenAmanishakhetoandthegoddessAmesemifoundinthehypostylehalloftheAmunTemple.thumb.png.bddf12e1a5964a8619cb5c40443bea4f.png

 

Relief of Queen Amanishakheto

relief_amanishakheto_munich.jpg.372bb312faebce0dfded1715b564de0f.jpg

 

Naqa

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King Amanikhabale with the goddess Mut and Amun

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58e647e8bb52c_ScreenShot2017-03-23at14_27_25.png.a546c4904819b6b64754d5b0bcd71294.png

 

Kushite Reliefs:

These reliefs are especially valuable as a source of inspiration for Kushite scale armor, which are shown extensively here.

 From the Lion temple at Musawwarat es Sufra

58e647d5880f1_Musawwaratessufraliontemple.thumb.jpg.20b71cf7a6a4b4cec28fd0120a0e5a46.jpg

 

Natakamani and Kantake (Queen) Amanitore saluting Apedemak

58e647d732bb6_NatakamaniandKantake(Queen)AmanitoresalutingApedemak.jpg.c24f7730a719cc49a78ae5d70ac50190.jpg

 

From the Lion Temple in Naqa

58e647dd76214_Relieffromtheliontempleinnaqa.thumb.jpg.ede605f9a16379e0ea2ef2509703d6eb.jpg

 

The Lion Temple in Naqa

58e647e12ece1_Reliefsontheliontempleinnaqa.thumb.jpg.66ebc832fbf89e336747c9c58a59e6f0.jpg

 

Kushite relief showing Apedemak and a Meroitic ruler

Sudan-47.jpg.4e795f9d9e75d97157ca96c9710ac231.jpg

 

Wall paintings in the tomb of King Tanwetamani, (nephew of Taharqa) in El Kurru Royal cemetery

58e648076da57_WallpaintingsinthetombofKingTanwetamaniatElKurruroyalcemetery.jpg.1df232d848c0e2006dca0e392ea70f35.jpg

58e6480913c9d_WallpaintingsinthetombofKingTanwetamanishowtheancientKushiteking(nephewofTaharqa)beingledtohisburialwearingKushitecapandureaus(royalcobra)ElKurru.jpg.c9b06190dd96d5b2d26a98cdf3346cf7.jpg

58e647c8c5825_elkurrutomb.thumb.jpg.dc958fbb6e652aecb0b61e7d057b1856.jpg

 

This colored rendering of a Kushite relief was created by someone on the Ancient Empires mod-team for Total War.

Meroitic ruler from vae victis total war mod based on meroitic relief.jpg

 

Queen Amanitore sandstone relief - detail ca. 1-25 AD. Kingdom of Meroë, from a temple in Wad Ban Naga Sudan.

Queen Amanitore sandstone relief - detail ca. 1-25 AD. Nubian Kingdom of Meroë. from a temple in Wad Ban Naga Sudan..jpg

 

Relief from the chapel of king Amanitenmomide from Meroe, Berlin, Egyptian Museum,

Relief from the chapel of king Amanitenmomide from Meroe, Berlin, Egyptian Museum,.jpg

 

Slab from the end of a coffin bench Nubian Meroitic Period early 2nd century B.C. Object

Slab from the end of a coffin bench Nubian Meroitic Period early 2nd century B.C. Object.jpg

 

Naqa relief

Temple of Apedemak (Lion Temple), Naqa.jpg

 

 

 

Edited by Sundiata
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Kushites through the eyes of ancient Egyptians

Obviously the images shared here are Dynastic Egyptian depictions of Kushites, and therefore fall outside of 0AD's timeframe. I will share them nonetheless, seen as they are still very relevant to later periods of Kushite history.

86405fd0112d6e4e5aa24e1017b4e719.thumb.jpg.de8f299021c4628379c8d516ca7bd5b1.jpg

a0dace7ded6b6763366680173a86de36.jpg.15ff781e0a5950d4d9f4ce24f7a9b053.jpg

AEP79.jpg.bfddce24e6731f1b6f07f5b2b7343d3a.jpg

58e654e09380f_KushiteRoyaltyincharriotbringingofferingstothepharaohaccompanyingHuytheViceroyofKush.jpg.f8541c5b7a3337a45c143ea10ec09bd8.jpg

58e654e3c6551_Nubiancattleherders.gif.d611dbb82f6638cf6dbf8d113923a28e.gif

58e654e6cfc0c_This15thCenturyBCEgyptianwallpaintingisfromthetombofRekhmire.ItshowsaNubianinbarefeetw-hheispresentingthegiftofahuntingleopardtoPharaohThutmoseIII.jpg.8b92d9eb266e84a7bd23a602dabb06da.jpg

58e654e23b6d9_KushitesfromthetombofRamessesIII.jpg.b3c38147e859428926de420670f9cbf7.jpg

ancient-african-kingdom-of-kush-165-638.jpg.b4c30bbd9dbb58796bb5b0941ce320b4.jpg

 

 

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Kushites through the eyes of others

Greek depictions of black Africans, presumably of Sudanic ancestry:

2nd century bc head of an African possibly manufactured in Turkey "Bigio Morata"

58e655d18c40d_2ndcenturybcheadofanAfricanpossiblymanufacturedinTurkeyBigioMorata.thumb.jpg.231c79af526c8b0d2f6e8e59656be251.jpg

 

Vase in the shape of the head of an elderly black man greek c 530 bce terracotta 17.7 cm museum of fine arts boston department of classical art

58e655da06941_ancientartweekvaseintheshapeoftheheadofanelderlyblackmangreekc530bceterracotta17.7cmmuseumoffineartsbostondepartmentofclassicalart.png.5b5afeaaba148c7c4bcb19241b906b38.png

 

Aryballos in the form of an African The Walters art museum, 5th century greek, reminiscent of Sotades58e655dc29754_AryballosintheformofanAfricanTheWaltersartmuseum5thcenturygreekreminiscentofSotades.thumb.jpg.4c0e7c85a4ecc3375298c4bdf7609959.jpg

 

Attic vase, Sotades' style

d5a22fd3f28419cbda3e75147ddf4af8.jpg.51081b30b02b8d4ad9a85105706b3399.jpg

 

Red-Figure Horn-Shaped Rhyton depicting a crocodile attacking a Nubian, Greek, c.350 BC (clay). Sotades (fl. 350 BC) 58e655fad20cb_Red-FigureHorn-ShapedRhytondepictingacrocodileattackingaNubianGreekc.350BC(clay).Sotades(fl.350BC).jpg.528d6ff2bc75a9fa31721a99bfd35bd3.jpg

 

An "Ethiopian" soldier in the Persian army. Attic black-figure white-ground alabstron, ca. 480 BC

58e655d7c833b_An_Ethiopian_soldier_in_the_Persian_army._Attic_black-figure_white-ground_alabstron_ca._480_BC.thumb.jpg.c9b23fed033a5363fbb9de4dd4149e47.jpg

 

Caeretan Hydria showing Herakles and Busiris with "Egyptians"58e655e335a93_CaeretanHydriashowingHeraklesandBusiriswithEgyptians2.thumb.jpg.5540cfc1edfc3776e5b4412067bdcba7.jpg

 

Attic Greek vase depicting Memnon with ethiopian clubmen and archer. Memnon was an "Ethiopian" King and ally of Troy, killed by Achilles in the Trojan war.

58e655de53521_AtticGreekvasedepictingMemnonwithethiopianclubmenandarcher.thumb.jpg.32ecee39c7fb4bab285145cd2df9c6e1.jpg

 

Ethiopian king memnon with some of his men

58e655ea52cf5_Ethiopiankingmemnonwithsomeofhismen.thumb.jpg.554d3bac343de7ca23ac649254a9e2b6.jpg

 

Detail of one of Memnon's Soldiers

58e655f2c8a43_MEMNONsoldier.jpg.42e4c825fb70b35cb93f95b5d61b1b04.jpg

 

The Departure of Memnon for Troy, Greek, circa 550-525 B.C.

58e6560114884_The_Departure_of_Memnon_for_Troy._Greek_circa_550-525_B.C..jpg.6613059a6c0b58252d7e2b793eaf9f37.jpg

 

Greek coin, uncertain mint, Hemistater 5th century BC

58e655ee9dcd7_GreekcoinsUncertainmintHemistater5thcenturyBC.jpg.3c3778ae606e7247257088e0a37c65ee.jpg

 

"This fine statuette shows the careful observation that reflects firsthand knowledge of the subject. The distinctive garment is characteristic of artisans, especially those working in the heat of a foundry, forge, or brazier" 2nd 3d century BC

58e6560310d19_Thisfinestatuetteshowsthecarefulobservationthatreflectsfirsthandknowledgeofthesubject.-orkingintheheatofafoundryforgeorbrazier2nd3dcenturybc.thumb.jpg.20957cd2282a2c85aa6f9e24f16d23bf.jpg

 

 

Kushites through the eyes of the Ptolemies

Black youth with hands bound behind his back, found in the Fayum near Memphis Egypt 2nd -1st century BC

58e655e119efe_Black_youthwithhandsboundbehindhisbackfoundintheFayumnearMemphisEgypt2nd-1stcenturyBC.thumb.jpg.01b2e563d0ed0cca83ae2a4b69a809e8.jpg

 

Head of an Aethiopian depicted in Hellenistic mode ptolemaic period 330s BC.jpg

58e655f1c8e0f_HeadofanAethiopiandepictedinHellenisticmodeptolemaicperiod330sBC.jpg.a8949209b9e46287c782a5fa6077de51.jpg

 

 

Through the eyes of Etruscans:

Terracotta vase combining the distinctive neck of the Shape VII oinochoe with a naturalistic head of a young black-African boy, Etruscan 4th century BCE

58e655ff6946d_TerracottavasecombiningthedistinctiveneckoftheShapeVIIoinochoewithanaturalisticheadofayoungblack-AfricanboyEtruscan4thcenturyBCE.jpg.7d135646026a8732e9696a6e67fb4f6d.jpg

 

 

Through the eyes of the Minoans:

Fragment of a fresco depicting a running military detachment. The leader wears minoan loincloth, named the captain of the blacks because he is followed by two black men, perhaps African soldiers in service of the palace.

58e655ec49c5e_Fragmentofafrescodepictingarunningmilitarydetachment.Theleaderwearsminoanloinclothname-owedbytwoblackmenperhapsAfricansoldiersinserviceofthepalace.jpg.f2b5a8c6d72a524fdddc9c5ffbf20f98.jpg

 

 

Through the eyes of the Romans

Head of a Black youth (gray basalt) BCE, Roman

58e655efb4217_HeadofaBlackYouthCitizen(graybasalt)BCERoman.jpg.e54858b945b5a24bc96f98b9d1793379.jpg

 

Roman bronze of an African

58e655fbc7890_RomanbronzeofAfricanRomanCitizen.jpg.356a2076864841f93e09f7790137778f.jpg

 

Roman lamp depicting an African

58e655fd2cbce_Romanlampdepictingafrican.thumb.jpg.1bce16ef13bfec9fd8c6d288823e101c.jpg

 

Terracotta statue of an African boxer staggering back from an upper cut. Roman 2nd Century BC-1st Century BC58e655fe3f21b_TerracottastatueofanAfricanboxerstaggeringbackfromanuppercut.CultureperiodRoman.Date2ndCBC-1stCBC.jpg.349b975434f28d74dbaac56ea391e9e7.jpg

 

 

Through the eyes of the Assyrians

Neo-Assyrian relief of their conquest of a Northern Egyptian city, held by Kushites. Kushite prisoners of war are seen being marched off, and being taunted with the decapitated heads of their captains.

58e655f4d9a9a_Neo-AssyrianconquestofEgyptiancityheldbyKushitesrelief.thumb.jpg.18076846ef46c412feac4b17d622baba.jpg

 

Detail from the victory stela of the Assyrian King Esarhaddon showing Prince Ushankhuru [the smaller one of the two captives], Taharqa's son and heir to the throne, in bondage.

58e655e6b9eef_DetailfromthevictorystelaoftheAssyrianKingEsarhaddonshowingPrinceUshankhuruTaharqassonandheirtothethroneinbondage.png.b6f79eb7d8662a328acc681668c8d2a3.png

 

Nimrud Ivory, Nubian tribute bearer

58e655f69d620_NimrudIvoryNubiantributebearer.thumb.jpg.cc6aa1e7cd460d2e79dbb22be9b662bf.jpg

 

One of the finest pieces from the Nimrud Ivory collection, depicting a Kushite being attacked by a lion.

Nimrud_ivory_lion_eating_a_man.thumb.jpg.3de122732f9cf8c57be97fed9ec88b41.jpg

Edited by Sundiata
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The Kingdom of Kush: Military 

The following post will aim to discuss some more aspects of the Kushite military and units. As in the previous posts, I will refrain from posting doubles, as many images on the subject are already highlighted here (towards the end of the 1st post), here and here, as well as other places throughout the thread.

Coincidentally @Zophim sourced the exact same book I'm about to quote, as an introduction to the images: 

Osprey Military: Men-At-Arms Series, 243

Rome’s Enemies 5, The Desert Frontier

David Nicolle PhD

p. 9 – 12

The Nile Valley

Following the Roman occupation of Egypt the Empire’s frontier reached Nubia, beyond which lay the Meroitic Kingdom of central Sudan. Between the two was the Dodekaschoenos, a region stretching from Aswan to Kosha (which has now been almost entirely flooded by the Aswan High Dam). This Rome also seized. The desert between the Nile and Red Sea was partly inhabited by Arabs in the north and Blemmye (the present –day Beja people) in the south, while deserts west of the Nile, but South of a chain of oases (now known as the Nile Valley) were virtually uninhabited. After an initial clash between Rome and Meroe, relations remained peaceful for several centuries, but by the 3rd century Meroe was in decline. The Blemmye nomads raided Nubia and southern Egypt; in reply Rome withdrew from the Dodekaschoenos and invited a new people to defend the area. These were the Noba (present-day Nubians), who probably came from Kordofan in Western Sudan, further isolating Meroe.

The Kingdoms south of Roman Egypt were in some ways more highly developed than those of Berber North Africa, although iron-working had only reached Meroe in the 4th century BC. In other respects Meroe remained within the ancient Egyptian tradition, and the fall of Meroe spelled the real end of Pharaonic civilization. […]

 

Armies of the Nile Valley states

Meroe was an agricultural but urbanized state drawing great wealth from trade. Though occasionally involved in wars Meroe was generally peaceable, while it’s rulers were more interested in the African south than the Roman north. Many of its warriors still used bronze weapons, some perhaps imported from Egypt, and although swords appear in Meroitic art none have yet been found. Spears and bows were the preferred weapons, while Meroe’s archers used leather quivers, plus iron- and even stone-tipped arrows of wood or cane, often poisoned. Judging by other aspects of Meroitic administration the army was probably well organized, although a rare description of a late Meroitic army in action against Roman troops has them poorly marshaled behind large oxhide shields with axes, spears and the occasional sword. Many men were tattooed and also scarred their faces, as some Sudanese still do. Elephants were used ceremonially and occasionally in war. Such animals may have been of the now-extinct North African or Saharan type, as the true African elephant is regarded as untrainable. Meroitic fortifications could be built upon earlier Egyptian structures, as at Qasr Ibrim in Nubia, or could consist of massive three storey whitewashed mud-brick citadels as at Karanog.

The warlike Blemmye (Beja) had generally lived in a mutually beneficial, symbiotic relationship with the peoples of the fertile river banks, their nomadic society being built around family groups, each with their herd of animals. Yet when the Blemmye eventually established their own organized kingdom they used the Meroitic model. Their formidable camel-mounted armies clad in wild animal skins, armed with spears and bows, joined Queen Zenobia of Palmyra’s invasion of Egypt in AD 270. Even in the 10th century Beja archers still used the poisoned arrows of their Blemmye and Meroitic predecessors. Blemmye raiders roamed the Red Sea, sometimes in captured Byzantine ships. One group hoped to attack Clysma (near modern Suez), but eventually settled for scaling the walls of a Christian monastery in Sinai using the trunks of Palm trees they had chopped down.

 

"A-D: Graffiti of warriors & huntsmen, meroitic 2-4 cents AD in situ great enclosure at Musawwarat al Sufra", from "Rome's enemies 5, the desert frontier".58e6cf56d7bd1_Graffitiofwarriorshuntsmenmeroitic2-4centsADinsitugreatenclosureatmusawwaratalsufra.thumb.jpg.35010b6e4b040ca408a1d22bcc6dd4b6.jpg

 

Battle axe, Soba. "An axe of the very same type can be seen on a graffito on Musawwarat es-Sufra" 

58e6cf5085350_BattleaxeSoba.AnaxeoftheverysametypecanbeseenonagraffitoonMusawwarates-Sufra.jpg.7c66005a7bc2e1e6f10ef3589d5d8557.jpg

 

Objects from a foundation deposit of King Harsiotef Napatan Period, about 404-369 BC From Nuri, pyramid Nu 13. "model blade of iron, copper dagger and arrowhead"

58e6cf5e7b0ff_ObjectsfromafoundationdepositofKingHarsiotefNapatanPeriodabout404-369BCFromNuripyramidNu13.modelbladeofironcopperdaggerandarrowhead.thumb.jpg.2782f8a2165e0a028f84829534a16336.jpg

 

@balduin Graffito of Meroitic cavalry men from the walls of Musawwarat es Sufra.

256369064495fb7e74372d3f44b27f51.thumb.jpg.706900f2b844a412591be340fd000bfc.jpg

 

Based on the historic descriptions, period depictions in graffiti and reliefs, as well as the occasional archaeological finds, a comprehensive and historic unit roster can be compiled. I will begin with contemporary depictions of 5 basic Kushite unit types, recruitable early in the game. From left to right: Nubian Spearman, Meroitic Noble Archer, Meroitic Swordsman, Meroitic Axeman, Nubian Bowmen.

58e6cf613e8a2_The5basicinfantryunittypesofKush.thumb.jpg.77d695335b1e7c2b1ee07e2eca93ee16.jpg

 

The Nubian Spearman is one of the earliest units available. With no armor, and only a simple oxhide shield and spear, this unit is quite weak. It's only redemptive qualities are the fact that they're very cheap, and very fast moving (can outrun any armored infantry unit)

58e6cf57b0584_Kushitespearman.jpg.4df5bfb4e73824e0c3e007d4bf05eb13.jpg

 

Nubian Bowmen, as with the Nubian Spearman, this is one of the earliest units available to the Kushite faction, and as with the Nubian Spearman, they are very basic. No Armor, armed only with a bow and arrow and a dagger for close quarter self defense, available after an upgrade. Their redemptive qualities are, once again, a very cheap cost, and being a fast moving infantry unit. What makes them special is their high accuracy and range, and the use of poisoned arrows.

58e6d4bca71e0_NubianBowmen.thumb.jpg.3ac5fcb5619b81fa42b13db99a8aff0a.jpg

 

Meroitic Noble Archer, an elite archery unit. These units, recruited from the upper middle classes, are equipped with the best bows and arrows, basic cotton armor and a formidable short sword as well as a little bling. These might very well become the best archers in the game (high range and accuracy). Fast moving, good melee defense, relatively costly.

190516_075739_re7CrNjK_imc2.thumb.JPG.eba1c6028865b513a4d8e03d28ff6470.JPG

 

Meroitic Swordsman, recruited from the upper middle classes, and equipped with a Greco-Romanesque short sword, rhinoceros hide round shield and basic cotton armor. Relatively costly, but fast-moving and good against spear units, and ranged infantry. 

58e6cf5bc5174_Meroiticwarrior.jpg.011709fb32602e4e3320ee6f96c9ef4f.jpg

 

Meroitic Axeman, a heavy and strong unit, designed to break enemy lines, and moral. Equipped with a large oval shield (I believe the shield depicted in the image is an anachronism) possibly made of finely woven wicker overspun with animal hide, an Egyptian style battle axe and simple cotton armor as well as a simple skullcap. Relatively strong against armored infantry (especially after an armor piercing battle axe upgrade)

58e6cf5a34893_Meroiticaxewarrior.jpg.49f281c60121a9193717c608f9ff7518.jpg

 

Work is being done by myself and another artist to illustrate every unit in the Kushite roster, as historically accurate as possible. Expect some dedicated artwork soon, including cavalry and champion units.

 

And finally, as a cherry on the cake, an actual Kushite army in action against their traditional enemies/partners, Ptolemaic Egypt:

 

Spoiler

 

 

Edited by Sundiata
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@Sundiata Thank you for your research. Commenting on your post is difficult, because you do not use figure numbers or anything else to make referencing those pictures easier. You happened to do that.

What I find remarkable is, the role of woman as head of state and head of military. The merotic reliefs show queens and kings in an equal way. Especially, the relief with the title: "Queen Amanishakheto and Amanirenas(?) or Amanitore (?) " illustrates the equality. The queens have bow and arrow in their hand. Bow and arrow seems to be a symbol of military leaders, because the relief "Kushite relief showing Apedemak and a Meroitic ruler" shows the king Apedemak or the a good holding bow and arrow. On the vase "The Departure of Memnon for Troy, Greek, circa 550-525 B.C.", king Memnon has again a bow in his hand. Additionally, in all meroitic reliefs the king, goods and queens are holding the arrows in the same hands as the bows.
Furthermore, the relief "Queen Amanishakheto and Amanirenas(?) or Amanitore (?)" also shows a small gate with a small ornament on the top, a typical element of the meroitic architecture.

Another interesting detail is the armor of the kings and goods from the temple in Naqa. Several reliefs show people having their torso covered by armor consisting of small metal plates. Maybe the fine piece of craftsmanship was only used in ceremonies.

Edited by balduin
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On 4/5/2017 at 3:36 AM, Sundiata said:

@Zophim Thank you for the research! That's so funny, because I've just typed that very same chapter of that Osprey book in a word document, in order to share it here by Thursday… Great minds think alike :P A lot more stuff is coming, soon… 

You're welcome!  Thanks for finding the images of the horsemen relief carvings.

On 4/5/2017 at 3:52 PM, balduin said:

@Zophim thanks a lot. Your research is very valuable and helpful.

The following to sentences are interesting:

do you know which relief carvings David N. Edwards was referencing here?

are those horse harnesses preserved? Are there more information about it?

You're welcome!  I'm thinking that the Musawwarat horsemen that Sundiata depicted are the ones that Dr. Edwards referenced in the Osprey book.  As far as the horse harnesses, I found a section from László Török's book The Image of the Ordered World in Ancient Nubian Art: The Construction of the Kushite Mind (800 BC - 300 AD) that mentions, on page 277: “Besides Amun of Kawa and the desert hunters and warriors, Apedemak and Arensnuphis, other male deities also appear with a bow and quiver in the early Meroitic period and continued to be represented with these attributes during the subsequent centuries, cf., e.g., Amun of Napata, Amun of Thebes, Apedemak, Arensnuphis, and Khnonsu on silver horse harness decorations from the royal burials...."  [emphasis mine] The silver harnesses in question are from the 1st and 2nd centuries AD.

I also found the following plates with accompanying descriptions of harnesses from a work by Dows Dunham, The Royal Cemeteries of Kush: Royal Tombs at Meroë and Barkal.

Spoiler

 

TombArt1.thumb.jpg.85be75c07f0869ab532906b7d2120d59.jpgTombArt2.thumb.jpg.a7726767df0674f89dfef7cf034a0e24.jpgTombArt3.thumb.jpg.f9998a1014627dd438b027c96faf6b11.jpgTombArt4.thumb.jpg.48a5b77582d4d570fb3d94f74926eb29.jpg

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited by Zophim
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@balduin You're right, I will be going through the posts again to number them soon.

I posted an example of horse harness remains from the royal cemeteries here

Yes, women could rise to the highest position of power in Kush: Amanitore, Amanirenas, Amanishakheto, Shanakdakhete, Nawidemak, Amanikhatashan, Maleqorobar and Lakhideamani. They were called by the title "Kandake", or queen of Kush. Most of the rulers of Kush have been men though.

About scale armor, I'm pretty sure it was worn by anybody able to afford it (for themselves or their retinues). As Kush was quite wealthy and advanced, they were able to import, as well as probably produce it. They were introduced to the technology from around 1650 BCE onwards, when their Hyksos allies invaded and occupied Egypt as the 15th dynasty, and introduced many new military technologies to the Nile Valley, including scale armor. Scale armor would have been worn by royals and nobles able to afford it (Heroes and champion units).

Egyptian contact with the Middle East influenced the development of the New Kingdom army in many ways. The 25th Kushite dynasty ruled all of Egypt, and laid a very strong foundation for the Napatan as well as the Meroitic period. During the 25th dynasty, Kushite pharaoh's had unlimited access to everything produced in Egypt and Canaan as well, and these influences diffused in to Sudan, attested in many different ways (architecture, luxury imports, new technologies, artistic and religious influences). I believe we can safely assume New Kingdom Egyptian military systems laid the foundation for the formal army setup of ancient Kush (the 25th dynasty was essentially an Egyptian [-styled] dynasty, ruled by Kushites, modeled on the New Kingdom).

Therefore I will share a number of images relating to the New Kingdom Egyptian military, in order to contextualize the the 25th dynasty's military heritage, and influence on later periods of Kush. These images can be used to some extent as a source of inspiration for Kushite units. All the images are from "109 Osprey Men-At-Arms Series: Ancient Armies of the Middle East"

"Bronze scales from a 14th century [BC] body armour, found in the palace of Amenhotep III in Thebes. Clearly visible are the holes through which the scales were sewn on to a leather or thickly padded fabric coat, the way the scales were fitted to each other, and the central spine which gave greater strength without increasing weight" 

58e952a52c242_EgyptianBronzescalesfromAmenhotepIIIpalaceinThebes.thumb.jpg.d82ec3c67675db7f2a55302f9452f336.jpg

 

Egyptian scale armor, reminiscent of some examples from Kushite reliefs

58e952adee264_EgyptianscalearmourfromthetombofRamesesIIIandavarietyofprotectiveheadgear.thumb.jpg.282f69bc0ce914e3889771861f8bc05d.jpg

 

New Kingdom armor piercing battle axe, identical to the some of the axes used by Kushites.

58e9529e8ac2d_EgyptianBronzeaxecarryingbearingthenameThutmodeIII.thumb.jpg.8a9f82d9b7579fc16163b0ecebf3d8fe.jpg

 

New Kingdom Egyptian army, based on wall paintings at Thebes.

58e9529ca3103_Egyptianarmy1.thumb.jpg.868bcec21106a085594b0b5cd8b2ef4f.jpg

 

New Kingdom Egyptian army, 18th dynasty.

58e9529a63c30_Egyptianarmy2.thumb.jpg.2bd0933d466a7956fe2bb7dcfde85362.jpg

 

New Kingdom Egyptian phalanx, based on wall paintings at Thebes.

58e961c3ab424_Egyptianphalanx.thumb.jpg.e7bd7b73582e203ac49719b4c2267853.jpg

 

New Kingdom Egyptian princes driving a chariot, probably identical to the ones produced and exported from Kush.

58e952a7d0637_Egyptianchariot.thumb.JPG.a1d0d0df79c66bab64640f42d2958cec.JPG

 

@Zophim This image of bound captives is particularly interesting (some of them wearing helmets)… Thanks!

58e9664647b1a_Kushiteprisoners.thumb.jpg.7abbf24fe7bb3b833e31f64c282c8494.jpg

 

Lastly, another New Kingdom depiction of "Kushites and Nubians"

Egyptian depictian of Nubians and Kushites.jpg

Edited by Sundiata
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The Kingdom of Kush in popular culture

Here I will share a collection of images of Kushites created by various artists around the world. I focused only on those images that showcase relatively credible dress and attire and can be used as inspiration for other works and unit models. 

 

Images of Pharaoh Taharqa at the zenith of the 25th dynasty:

One remark on this image is that the crown Taharqa is wearing actually dates to the Post Meroitic era. Apart from that, this image is an excellent collage of Napatan Kush. 

58eced20315f2_Taharqapharaohofthe25thdynasty.thumb.jpg.99fdcc11f69b72af136b372ebbe4fdee.jpg 

Taharqa2.jpg.10f75a4d6c924b97a6b559ea1fa7cac2.jpg

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Taharqa_by_thedirtyman-d98tuno.thumb.jpg.5acd779b740aa2eebc86a521a4f20c1d.jpg

 

Portrait of queen Takahatenamun, wife of the 25th dynasty Pharaoh Taharqa by leviathaninutero

58eced1a96fb4_PortraitofqueenTakahatenamunwifeofthe25thdynastyPharaohTaharqaby_leviathaninutero-d8757bd.thumb.png.8a83c36a4cc53eb419fc527a6eb011a6.png

 

Queen Amun-dyek-het high priestesss of Hathor (and possible wife of Taharqa) bows before her captor, King Esarhaddon of Assyria

58eced1d6da4e_QueenAmun-dyek-hethighpriestesssofHathorbowsbeforehercaptorKingEsarhaddonofAssyriaB.thumb.jpg.731326fe4afc7aedbae32ca4f7bb9a89.jpg

 

Queen Amanirenas

amanirenas___design_research_by_aliciane-d8escqj.png.586b5093f27d3ab38c1edc502e640bb3.png

 

Queen Amanirenas, "Will you fight for me again?" by aliciane

will_you_fight_for_me_again___by_aliciane-d8hjx9i.png.thumb.jpeg.a6ee09fa0f42101c785737aecb8487a7.jpeg

 

25th dynasty pharaoh, Piye, also known as Piankhi in front of the Amun temple at Napata.

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Ancient Kush

c61ac44c342c4743cb9e69f9abda207f.jpg.d5e206dcbf4e4d78d67de819d8fdee06.jpg

 

Kushite queen

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Female archer from Kush

commission__neith_the_nubian_archer_by_ilweran-d64gg0k.thumb.jpg.647ce6d9e688c891761ef582957561ff.jpg

 

Kushite Noble Spearman

nubian_spearman_by_jabrosky-d3jdtql.jpg.3bc4d35c6fdc6f0ef5eb181fceb57ec1.jpg

 

Kushite debutante by dabrandonsphere

kushite_debutante_by_dabrandonsphere-dalc0uk.thumb.jpg.6f9a95e0611a3d02fcdcdd916a5669f8.jpg

 

Ancient Nubians trading with Egyptians

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A royal scene

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Edited by Sundiata
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As a final note, to this long series of visual posts, I present a new list of sources and further reading directly related to the Kingdom of Kush, for those who wish to have more in-depth knowledge of ancient Kush (previous lists of sources can be found here, at the end of this post and at the end of this post). I based virtually all my writing on these sources, and each of the listed sites are interesting in their own right, worth a browse. I thank everybody that has been through this thread so far, and supported our research and ideas. I will now be focussing more on dedicated art, illustrating Kushite units. Any questions and remarks are welcome.

 

- Boat Building in the Sudan: Material culture and its contribution to the understanding of Sudanese cultural morphology, by Yousif Hassan Madani

 

- Musawwarat es-Sufra: Interpreting the Great Enclosure  by S. Wenig –Sudan & Nubia, No 5, published by The Sudan Research and Archaeological Society, 2001

https://issuu.com/sudarchrs/docs/s_n05-wenig/13

 

- Rediscovery of the Kushite site - Naga, 15 years of excavation (1995-2010). Surprises and Innovation by K. Kroeper — Sudan & Nubia, No 15, published by The Sudan Archaeological Research Society, 2011

https://issuu.com/sudarchrs/docs/s_n15_kroeper

 

- The Royal Pyramids of Meroe. Architecture, Construction and Reconstruction of a Sacred Landscape by F.W. Hinkel — Sudan & Nubia, No 4, published by The Sudan Archaeological Research Society, 2000 

https://issuu.com/sudarchrs/docs/s_n04-hinkel

 

- http://www.musawwarat.com

 

- http://www.zamaniproject.org/index.php/musawwarat.html

 

- http://what-when-how.com/archaeology-of-ancient-egypt/meroitic-culture-to-metallurgy-archaeology-of-ancient-egypt/

 

- http://what-when-how.com/archaeology-of-ancient-egypt/meroe-city-to-meroe-the-sun-temple-archaeology-of-ancient-egypt/

 

http://nubie-international.fr/accueil.php?a=page14500

 

- http://whc.unesco.org/uploads/nominations/1336.pdf

 

- http://chs.harvard.edu/CHS/article/display/1301

 

- https://www.slideshare.net/jehuti/ancient-african-kingdom-of-kush

 

- http://egypte-eternelle.org/index.php/nubie/haute-nubie/meroe

 

- https://garstangmuseum.wordpress.com/2015/03/26/rome-through-the-eyes-of-meroe-an-enemy-trampled-underfoot/

 

- https://garstangmuseum.wordpress.com/2014/02/10/object-in-focus-a-meroitic-lion-statuette-e-8003/

 

- https://archaeologistsdiary.wordpress.com/2015/10/30/treasure-of-amanishakheto/

 

- http://web.archive.org/web/20070913062518/http://arkamani.org/arkamani-library/library-contents.htm#Meroitic Kingdom

 

- http://publishing.cdlib.org/ucpressebooks/view?docId=ft0000035f&chunk.id=ch2&toc.id=ch2&brand=ucpress

 

- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_monarchs_of_Kush

Edited by Sundiata
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The Kingdom of Kush:  Unit:  Meroitic Cavalry Lancer

0 A.D.-Dedicated art by Sundiata

(Malcolm Kwadwo Kwarte Quartey, yes, that's my given name)

This is the first of a series of illustrations I'm working on, depicting Kushite units from the late Napatan, through to the Meroitic period. There are only a small handful of historical illustrations by contemporary artists on this subject, so I decided to illustrate them as historically accurate as possible, specifically so that 3d artists can get to work on them. Another artist-friend is working hard doing the same. 

Horses were a loved and prized commodity in ancient Kush, attested by the ritual burial of horses in some royal graves. Horses have an ancient presence in Kush, and were primarily used to draw 2-span chariots in the earlier periods. By the time of Meroe's rise to importance, mounted cavalry became important, and remained important until the late 19th century. There are ample examples of graffiti of mounted warriors (regrettably with little detail), which, together with our accumulated knowledge on dress, attire and weapons, allow us to reconstruct several variations of Meroitic cavalry.

Cavalry lancers were the most important (basic) type of mounted unit in Kush, recruited from the upper (-middle) classes, or as a dedicated retinue assembled by an important royal, noble or chief. It is also the earliest cavalry unit available to Kush. Equipped with an animal hide round shield (ox- elephant- or rhino-leather) and a bronze tipped spear (upgradable to iron). Apart from the modest layered cotton strips around his torso, which provide some basic protection, this unit barely used armor. This, combined with strong, fast, quality horses, creates a lightening fast unit, with a strong attack, and mediocre defense. A perfect unit to supplement the relatively poor Nubian Spearman and Bowmen you get at the beginning of the game. As the unit gains experience, quilted cotton armor and a skull cap become available. This will be a comparatively strong basic cavalry unit, perfect for hit and run tactics.   

Meroitic Cavalry Lancer, performing maneuvers on the Butana Steppe, not long after the annual rains, by Malcolm Kwadwo Kwarte Quartey (a.k.a Sundiata) [Licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0]

58f1eaf6ba010_Meroiticcavalrylancer7.thumb.jpg.621def1e7b54bcf29f1af50087a256a5.jpg

    

 

 

Edited by Sundiata
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@Sundiata Great work. The illustrations look very nice.

What's about horse archers? As far as I know you mentioned previously that the Kushites had horse archers. However, the only images I can find are about Assyrian horse archer. Like this one:

mesop1.jpg

Furthermore, if you publish your art please license them under CC-BY-SA 3.0  and mention the license for each illustration or picture. CC-BY-SA 3.0 is the license used by 0 A.D. for artistic assets. For example:

Meroitic Cavalry Lancer, performing maneuvers on the Butana Steppe, not long after the annual rains, by Malcolm Kwadwo Kwarte Quartey (a.k.a Sundiata). Licensed under CC-BY-SA 3.0.

The licensing is important to avoid legal issues. You as creator/artist can specify the license of your work.

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@balduin Thanks, understood, and done ;) 

I have read several cursory mentions of horse archers in ancient Kush, but nothing detailed. It's logical that a people with such a fondness of horses and archery would employ horse archers, and the use of mounted archery units by their enemies, the Assyrians seems to lend credence to this idea in a broader ancient context of early horse archers (don't forget that horses and their handlers were an important export from Kush to Assyria in the peaceful years). I have several ideas about how they may have looked, but it will take some time to visualize properly.  

Edited by Sundiata
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The Kingdom of Kush :  Unit :  Meroitic Axeman

0 A.D.-Dedicated art by Sundiata  

 

The second, in a series of illustrations depicting Kushite military units as accurate as possible, depicts a Meroitic axeman, with an armor-piercing battle-axe, an elephant- rhino- or hippo- hide round shield, layered cotton around his torso for basic protection and a linnen or cotton loincloth. A pretty basic unit packing a heavy punch. Low armor, but having a bonus against other armored units because of his armor piercing axe, and a speed bonus as well. 

As with the previous unit, I have drawn this unit with a bald head, but they might as well have had a short hair cut, or even a modest afro. A common hairdo for men seems to be about a cm long, ochre red-dyed kinky hair. Kushite axe-men used a variety of battle axes, beginning with the bronze epsilon axe, then the Egyptian armor piercing axe and finally their own design of iron armor piercing axe, as the one found at Soba (which is also the one I used as a reference).

 

Meroitic Axe-man, by Malcolm Kwadwo Kwarte Quartey (Sundiata) [licenced under CC BY-SA 3.0]

58f8e745eb1b1_Meroiticaxeman6.thumb.jpg.5d866e0e95616836d656a62d51202621.jpg

[I'm not sure why, but the image seems to be over-saturated, as it is portrayed here, but when clicked on shows the original saturation I uploaded it with]

Edited by Sundiata
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