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The Kingdom of Kush: A proper introduction [Illustrated]


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@balduin Both, actually. I'm collecting all the reference material right here on the thread, in an open-source manner, specifically so that me and everyone else can use it at their own leisure, for whatever project they want. When the research is finished, I will re-write the first post, to correct and incorporate all the relevant new material in a single, easy to read format. I plan on making a pdf version which is purely historical, can be easily shared, is easier on the eyes than this forum-format, and which can work as the backbone for a printed book. 

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The Final Great Reference Post for Kushite Artefacts
Weapons, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Faience and Pottery

 

Throughout this thread, many posts discuss the extensive material legacy of Kush, housed in many museums and research institutions the world round. This final great post illustrates a range of not shared before artefacts.

The most valuable objects in terms of reference materials for 0AD are post-Meroitic Kushite or Noba weapons from the tombs of el Hobagi, the final stronghold of Meroitic culture after the fall of Meroë. So... apparently it seems that Kush, or at least Meroitic Kushite culture didn’t end with the fall of Meroë after the Axumite invasion(s) of 330AD, but seems to have sputtered on for more than a century. The weapons found in the burial tumuli (no more pyramids) are of the same type as the earlier Meroitic ones. Many other objects are also clearly of Meroitic origin/inspiration, and the last known Meroitic inscriptions come from these graves. Even the Meroitic word “Qore”, which means “King”, was found inscribed on a bronze bowl. Although it’s out of 0AD's time frame, these weapons are essentially just better preserved examples of the earlier Napatan and Meroitic versions we use in-game. 

 

Kushite Weapons, Gold, Silver, Bronze, Faience, Pottery and More:

Spoiler

The weapons from El Hobagi

Lance with hatchet attached, adorned with beads

5a5caf77ef963_ElHobagilancewithhatchetpostmeroitickingdomofKush.thumb.jpg.a5b31ec3a1b97770df32f3a990529d82.jpg

 

El Hobagi III, a royal tumulus filled with spears, javelins, bunches of arrows and an axe-head, among the rubble of broken pottery and other grave-goods 

5a5cb25c83b56_KingdomofKushKushitegravetumulusElHobagiPost-MeroiticperiodpotteryweaponsspearsaxeheadsbundlesofarrowsinsituMeroNews25h3.thumb.jpg.38ad011f361306fed186acf8bef4410b.jpg

 

The same grave, but only showing the weapons. These very African looking spears would go well with the spear cavalry.

5a5cb26323210_KingdomofKushKushitegravetumulusElHobagiPost-MeroiticperiodspearsaxeweaponsinsituMeroNews25h6.thumb.jpg.2f33f4dc1fbfe45d5002157ba3bf89e0.jpg

 

Detail of an iron axe-head, a very sizeable lance and a mace-head

5a5cafc31f148_KingdomofKushKushitegravegoodsElHobagipostMeroiticaxemaceandspearheadMeroe.thumb.jpg.63a2e4c8d063a28191f22f2b1ee4ed18.jpg

 

El Hobagi IV, another post-meroitic tumulus in the area, with the same types of weapons used by Napatan and Meroitic period Kushites. Spears/lances with very large spear-heads, axes, bunches of arrows, and relatively large swords. Perhaps the largest and best preserved physical remains of swords found in Kush dating to antiquity, located in the lower right corner.

5a5cb25fd7f99_KingdomofKushKushitegravetumulusElHobagiPost-MeroiticperiodpotteryweaponsspearsaxesswordsarrowsinsituMeroNews25h7.thumb.jpg.aac1813f477168c0104eb2e4aed19ecf.jpg

 

 

Meroitic period:

Possibly post-Meroitic axe-head and spear-head from Tombos. The Axe-head is identical in shape to the axe depicted in the reliefs of battle scenes on temple M250 in Meroë (the "Sun temple"), dating to the 1st century BC.

5a5cb2784d0b4_KingdomofKushKushitepostmeroiticElHobagiaxespearheadsMeroNews25h9.thumb.jpg.ed6bc651f32054d3a8b29e39f95bcc5d.jpg

 

A Kushite arrow-head inscribed with a Meroitic inscription. How cool is that...

5a5caf8868d0d_KingdomofKushKushitecopperalloyarrowheadwithmeroiticinscriptioninscribed.thumb.jpg.d2c252329c9c7742135c3d91ed7dbf23.jpg

 

Meroitic spear-head and barbed arrow-heads

5a5cb266d1a6e_KingdomofKushKushiteIronspeartiparrowheadsrubbingstone.thumb.jpg.3e0db7c7658277c387cd4fcea07b6f0e.jpg

 

Iron spear-head and barbed javelins or harpoon-points

5a5cb26a879b5_KingdomofKushKushiteironweaponsspearheadbarbedjavelinsorharpoonpointsfromTumbos.thumb.jpg.19db238343b4c65e23cbccda3decf7b0.jpg

 

This Meroitic period painted pottery isn't the most breathtaking piece of art, but it depicts the same kind of barbed javelins as above, in addition to a mean-looking hunting/war(?)-dog with decorated collar. 

5a5cb27321c16_KingdomofKushKushiteMeroiticpotterymanwithjavelinsanddog.thumb.jpg.063e56248404d1ead191beab2f5a5bbd.jpg

 

Not sure what to make of these Meroitic period pottery fragments. We can make out two lions and a warrior, wearing a tunic with belt and oval shield, carrying a weapon

5a5cb27b8cf0d_KingdomofKushKushitepotteryfragmentslionsandwarrior.thumb.jpg.a633ab645124a5575f7601d57dd6c35e.jpg

 

...

5a5cb27dea773_KingdomofKushKushitepotterywithfigure.jpg.757cd7cf2bfed891f2dc7e563defa622.jpg

 

 

Kerma period

Another example of the famous Kerma period Bronze daggers.

5a5cb26e2f73f_KingdomofKushKushiteKermaperiodbronzedagger.thumb.jpg.d2a135f5481cac7ab9f6b5bf0f4a9884.jpg

 

 

Kushite Gold:

 

Amanishakheto's armband

5a5cb6e9c4f0e_KingdomofKushKushiteAmanishakhetogoldarmband2.thumb.jpg.e0ab3d8beaaf66dd89684de958d58153.jpg

 

Another one of Amanishakheto's armbands

5a5cb6ee41517_KingdomofKushKushiteAmanishakhetogoldarmband.thumb.jpg.f575c003fd5af6bd928fff9650d81a46.jpg

 

Three earrings and winged Isis, originally attached to something else..

5a5cb72a14459_KingdomofKushKushitegoldrandomKushitejewelry.thumb.jpg.c3258aa1cd6eb117e5a1fba432e2b2a1.jpg

 

Golden bracelet/necklace(?) with Hathor heads.

Kingdom_of_Kush_Kushite_gold_pendant_Hathor_heads.thumb.jpg.98e83119f1efd40a239fd25073e63332.jpg

 

Golden Ankhs 

5a5cb6fd0d364_KingdomofKushKushitegoldankhnecklace.thumb.jpg.c5657019166568cd04333e0c9b113dd3.jpg

 

Golden shieldring with Egyptian Wadjet, quintessentially African cowry shells and the head of a Kushite deity, probably Sebiumeker

Kingdom_of_Kush_Kushite_Gold_shield_ring_cowry_shells.thumb.jpg.f0ef805198b988ccf4aa310d43821a81.jpg

 

A more "modest" ring

Kingdom_of_Kush_Kushite_gold_Shieldring_goddess_mut.thumb.jpg.4490c248e1a5aead183e87154d6c82b7.jpg

 

Golden jakhal and rearing cobra

5a5cb769466a3_KingdomofKushKushiteGoldenjakhalfromMeroe.jpg.d27c50598727524fc1add22b4326dcc9.jpg

 

Another very elaborate golden ring

5a5cb72cbcd4a_KingdomofKushKushitegoldringfromMeroe.jpg.64ea919910579f18997543ab9c145d22.jpg

 

Golden pendant of Amun

5a5cb6f5155fb_KingdomofKushKushitegoldamunheadedpendant.thumb.jpg.eea1815a093fe6a6a12a89094ebf5efa.jpg

 

More "modest" jewellery 

5a5cb77bee9f7_Kushitejewelrynecklacesgold.thumb.jpg.790a036e23161d39bc3471bb4dd5a6b0.jpg

 

I honestly don't know what that thing on the left is. A falcon, a vulture and a ram's head to the right.

5a5cb70519ea6_KingdomofKushKushitegoldjewelry.thumb.jpg.34f994f8fdc1e3bfc34220986bd496af.jpg

 

King Aspelta's treasure: Golden ewer, decorated alabastron, golden tweezers (?!), silver cylinders covered in decorated gold, and a silver libation pouring thing 

5a5cb6f25449f_KingdomofKushKushiteAspeltagravenapatanGoldandelectrumandgildedsilverobjectscalledcyli-rofthetombsofthekingsandqueensofKushatNuriintheSudan1.thumb.jpg.c6159bcfcb54accd852acd2274259bc0.jpg

 

More of those mysterious cylinders..

5a5cb6f906c5a_KingdomofKushKushitegoldandsilvercilindersealsofKingAspelta.thumb.jpg.0f3f67d87f32602f00d1580bddd81eeb.jpg

 

Golden plaque showing Pharaoh Taharqa with Re-Horakhti 

5a5cb72458f69_KingdomofKushKushitegoldplaqueplateKingPharaohTaharqaReHorakhty.thumb.jpg.a2d4c8c04d549cf32c3df445394c41fe.jpg

 

Golden finger guard of the mummy of King Amaninatakelebte. Golden finger guard... I didn't even know that was a thing... 

5a5cb7663140a_KingdomofKushKushiteGoldenfingerguardforthemummyofkingAmaninatakelebte.thumb.jpg.67c447796c1a1a8af5ce28eeee38868b.jpg

 

Pharaoh Taharqa presenting the god Hemen with wine, made from gold silver and bronze

5a5cb7733e067_KingdomofKushKushitepharaohTaharqapresentinggodHemenwithwinegoldsilverandbronze.thumb.jpg.73dd9a06e9a4a9ef8b60de2d3bc099d5.jpg

 

Amulet of Ma'at belonging to Pharaoh Piye

5a5cc68b298c6_KingdomofKushKushiteamuletofmaatnapatanpiyekingdomofkush.jpg.67da36e8c6e40437df8d4527502698f3.jpg

 

Gold from Tumulus graves at El Kurru. Not only the pyramids contained treasure!

5a5cb700ef983_KingdomofKushKushitegoldfromtumulusgravesatelKurru.thumb.jpg.e8216a58da143d6ff8f017e0340435ee.jpg

 

 

 

Kushite Silver

Gilded silver mask of the Royal Wife Malakaye from Nuri, and silver ring of Amun

5a5cb8979cd6d_KingdomofKushKushiteGildedsilvermaskoftheRoyalWifeMalakayeNuriandsilverringofamun.thumb.jpg.d3b180c94eff1877df20cfd26b0e7654.jpg

 

Silver libation pouring thing, very similar (but different!) to the one found among King Aspelta's treasure.

5a5cb89b90787_KingdomofKushKushitesilverlibationbowlfoundinthetombofnetaklabahamon.thumb.jpg.4526741de149b3558c8e68b697a9013f.jpg

 

Silver ram-headed sphinx-pendant

5a5cc69112c24_KingdomofKushKushiteAmunAmuletintheformofacriosphinxalionsbodywithramsheadandwingssittingatopapillarwithapalmcapitalnapatanperiod.thumb.jpg.64157466417d7ef9658d196d2c15b0e1.jpg

 

The Mirror of Shabako

5a5cb8939cf88_KingdomofKushKushitebronzeandsilvermirrorofKingShabakoelKurru.thumb.jpg.90f254b7daaff5a7a2ea3c9a72099a03.jpg

 

A silver pot, which I suspect is a Hellenistic import

5a5cb89ee54bc_KingdomofKushKushitesilverware.thumb.jpg.e0f2a944e279ecefa636ec757a7d2be4.jpg

 

 

Kushite Bronze

The smiling Pharaohs of Kush!

5a5cb94e3b9d5_KingdomofKushKushiteBronzestatuettesofpharaohskingssmiling.thumb.jpg.9cdcdd912dc2c39ef349be7de4d7c891.jpg

5a5cb9696e7a8_KingdomofKushKushiteTaharqabronzestatuettefromamuntempleNapata.thumb.jpg.c26aa30429e67ee4d2a8860c06741804.jpg

5a5cb9481a5fc_KingdomofKushKushitebronzestatuetteofakingpharaoh.thumb.jpg.6bfd1d5864e22ba665a4fc67bc6f53a8.jpg

 

Bronze royal lady from the Amun temple at El-Hassa

5a5cb93b7630e_KingdomofKushKushitebronzebustofaroyalladyqueenorprincesfromtheAmuntempleatelHassa.thumb.jpg.a3eb223f04bb63bb26d51c49087eeb56.jpg

 

A massive bronze ring in the form of a ram headed cobra...

5a5cb95a62831_KingdomofKushKushitemassivebronzeringintheformofaramheadedcobra.thumb.jpg.3ad29cabbb316c2f96403c3066e1e717.jpg

 

A solid bronze, bird-shaped bead-post, and bronze slippers. Bronze slippers people, I'm not making this up...

5a5cb928594f3_KingdomofKushKushitebronzebedpostandbronzeslippersfromElKurru.thumb.jpg.90c90408f7db10d6e860e19cfbfd48df.jpg

 

A rare Kushite depiction of the single humped camel, with saddle, in bronze

5a5cb93f49a2a_KingdomofKushKushitebronzecamelfigurinemeroiticperiod.thumb.jpg.177742aa674f61db6fb81ba4106863fc.jpg

 

A nice collection of bronze bells

5a5cb9377c253_KingdomofKushKushitebronzebells.thumb.jpg.12e56f418973510ef80ee0ed9ba103fd.jpg

 

A bronze cow-bell... with the image of a cow... wearing a bell... I love these people

5a5cb92d52081_KingdomofKushKushitebronzebellwithreliefofcowwearingabell.thumb.jpg.59fef0abe4ee78efa233642baeb7d04f.jpg

 

An 8-sided bell with images of bound prisoners with arrows in their backs.

5a5cb931db77e_KingdomofKushKushitebronzebellwithreliefofexecutedboundcaptivesprisoners.thumb.jpg.6ef3b1c7c917dfdedb9e33e1f5e1a5c2.jpg

 

A detail of the bound prisoners. The one on the far right received special treatment, and has a sword in his back instead of an arrow.

5a5cb97569616_meroitickingdomofkushkushiteeight8sidedbronzebellwithreliefofboundcaptivesexecutedbyarrowandsword.thumb.jpg.545ab6a46d0160f907f6ff589ce4e4de.jpg

 

Another example of bound prisoners on a bronze bell, this time with arrows in the chest. Once again, one of the captives is singled out, and received a dagger to the chest. This same captive, second from the left, is wearing a Greco-Roman tunic, and a helmet with chinstrap, strongly resembling a Phrygian helmet. Perhaps a Ptolemaic Greek captive? 

5a5cb95e5b9da_KingdomofKushKushitemeroiticbronzebellpicturingboundcaptivestiedprisoners.thumb.jpg.058eee5874629785b702ea4317fdc0d1.jpg

 

Dead enemies get their faces pecked at by vultures. Different headdresses denote different nations.

5a5cb96e747a0_KingdomofKushKushitevulturespeckingcorpsesbronzebellsmeroitic.thumb.jpg.1cc9848c5f923eb7d59eafa7afbe4de6.jpg

 

Bronze bowl

5a5cb9549a81e_KingdomofKushKushitebronzevessel.jpg.7088747ad3949b12a77b579c1629c6aa.jpg

 

One of 2 bronze globular jars from el Kurru

5a5cb964580c9_KingdomofKushKushiteOneof2gobularjarsfromelkurrubronze.thumb.jpg.89c65442a2b24549e0d5fb44ccca026e.jpg

 

Bronze uraeus from a royal statue

5a5cb9518424e_KingdomofKushKushiteBronzeUraeusfromJebelGebelBarkalNapata.thumb.jpg.01174a431936a0bf1bbd7bbce8193ec1.jpg

 

Gilded bronze uraei from Napata, originally lining the roof's edge of one of the kiosks.

5a5cb960840ed_KingdomofKushKushiteNapatagildedbronzeuraei.jpg.882fc1e4af06534d6a3f853bbd58595a.jpg

 

Sphinx shaped bronze standard of Taharqa with rearing cobras 

5a5cc7dde11de_KingdomofKushKushitetaharqasphinxshapedstandard.jpg.ef0a52d1c67c5cb13c74fab85ae0a4c1.jpg

 

Figurines of Amun

5a5cc7e70a362_kingdomofKushNapatanPeriodabout700-300BCFromKawaNubiaTempleT.thumb.jpg.16c2b39987b63a08fbc4692fb0de495d.jpg

 

A Kushite, Meroitic period bronze oil-lamp in the form of a bound prisoner

5a5cc7d519de9_KingdomofKushKushiteMeroiticOilLampwithBoundPrisonerWalters.thumb.jpg.5dedb93797b1c9a502e6b7f55786fd77.jpg

 

Meroitic Royals developed an expensive taste in Mediterranean luxury goods, of which the bronze Greco-Roman oil lamps are an excellent example. They are a surprisingly recurring grave-good during the Meroitic period. 

5a5cb9569ac57_KingdomofKushKushitegrecoromanimportbronzeoillampfromthenecropolisatNapata.jpg.1f359cf936d51fa4c482b6593d830ac3.jpg

 

A centaur shaped Greco Roman bronze oil-lamp...

5a5cb943f3888_KingdomofKushKushitebronzeoillampgrecoromanimport.thumb.jpg.efe4284936f92e367f0ff14b6ad296d8.jpg5a5cc2c38b3ca_KingdomofKushKushiteoillampgrecoromanimport2.thumb.jpg.8e32a1fc66dd43a44acacff82e18c587.jpg

 

 

Kushite Faience

An Ankh, belonging to King Aspelta

5a5cc3d9a8e1b_Faience_ankh_showing_the_cartouches_and_epithets_of_Aspelta._Votive_offering._From_Mer-dan._The_Petrie_Museum_of_Egyptian_Archaeology_London.thumb.jpg.8dc2a4a0be0fb51f17cb6f1e2f1c5604.jpg

 

faience scarab

5a5cc3f98621b_KingdomofKushKushitefaiencescarab.thumb.jpg.f2f827f77b9e6722c587cbff9191f266.jpg

 

faience amulet from el Kurru

5a5cc3df6dbef_KingdomofKushKushitefaienceamuletgodsBesHorusHathorfromElKurru.thumb.jpg.d324399daad726e3c514c739d213ec80.jpg

 

Faience Bes shaped figurine from el Kurru

5a5cc3f63e115_KingdomofKushKushitefaienceofthegodBes.thumb.jpg.ec6a381f7d1032acf121405b0ca466f7.jpg

 

Faience figurines from el Kurru

5a5cc3e387f5b_KingdomofKushKushitefaienceamuletscollection.thumb.jpg.5da555bb24dd15e9d605b54e3ef7d74f.jpg

 

A large collection of faience figurines from el Kurru

5a5cc3e856d58_KingdomofKushKushitefaienceamuletsscarabswadjethathor.thumb.jpg.2d4ec61d96150c6601f1108a77f5d95c.jpg

5a5cc3f129cfc_KingdomofKushKushitefaienceobjectsfromElKurru.thumb.jpg.0235db100c9cb4142c5f436dd3f56b64.jpg

 

Faience Menat amulets from El Kurru

5a5cc3ed69c4c_KingdomofKushKushitefaiencemenatamuletsandbeads.thumb.jpg.4d9189048e506d10c3ea2d51decf5939.jpg

 

Faience and cowry shell horse trappings from el Kurru

5a5cc3fe87928_KingdomofKushKushitehorsetrappingsfaienceandcowryshellsfromElKurru.thumb.jpg.19f79a972215aa2206c2de9d201486a4.jpg

 

Scarab inscribed with Hieroglyphs 

5a5cc401ec02a_KingdomofKushKushitescarabfromElKurru.thumb.jpg.b641dcc226d81b55a88134faf1ecb534.jpg

 

 

Kushite Pottery

 

The following 2 pictures provide an excellent reference for Kushite pottery in-game. The current (greenish) props aren't ideal. These large reddish, typically Kushite pottery is ideal. As found in situ, in rock cut burial chambers.

5a5cc515a1e66_KingdomofKushKushitepotteryinsituinsidearockcuttombburialchamber.thumb.jpg.19007cc9971a74dfbdf75bf9878ae929.jpg

5a5cc4e3474db_KingdomofKushKushiteburialchambertombrockcutcavernpotteryinsitu.thumb.jpg.064feea5a8ef230435581af2795c28e0.jpg

5a5cc522744c1_KingdomofKushMeroiticpotteryandmetalinsituinagrave.thumb.jpg.1929861e660f02e170089e178bb04326.jpg

 

More pottery in situ, including a Campanian amphora (yes, they enjoyed mediterranean wine, a lot). Note the typically reddish colour.

5a5cc526adfe0_Kushitepotterygravegoods.thumb.jpg.3d706bffe5b65697e3355f63bcf87ce8.jpg

5a5cc4f0ab570_KingdomofKushKushiteMeroiticperiodpotteryB.thumb.jpg.2d770404855d8586442db9427fd0a90c.jpg

 

The same types of pottery from the post Meroitic tombs at El Hobagi, in situ.

5a5cc4e7175d4_KingdomofKushKushitegravetumulusElHobagiPost-MeroiticperiodpotteryinsituMeroNews25h.thumb.jpg.fc03d58121141a3c50c49879cbad69ee.jpg

5a5cc4eb77f95_KingdomofKushKushitegravetumulusElHobagiPost-MeroiticperiodpotteryinsituMeroNews25h2.thumb.jpg.5a85bf772d66a9663e2bb9d73bfc27dd.jpg

 

A large collection of Meroitic period pottery

5a5cc4f9678ba_KingdomofKushKushiteMeroiticpottery2.thumb.jpg.1596be5a17ee673d31c3b6ed55098081.jpg

5a5cc508a9c6b_KingdomofKushKushiteMeroiticpottery.thumb.jpg.f51d68141316c4de8f2cc155b028d8e9.jpg

5a5cc4fcc7eae_KingdomofKushKushiteMeroiticPotterydiagram.thumb.jpg.c3c0551c5d2c6823b7ea26c1fb2c77b7.jpg

5a5cc505033c2_KingdomofKushKushiteMeroiticpotteryselection.thumb.jpg.2671cc0086f2665cdc1830e12595bdab.jpg

 

A particularly interesting piece. A common scene not often seen on pottery: Lions mauling captives. Note the tribal scarification on the man's face

5a5cc5013606e_KingdomofKushKushiteMeroiticpotterylionattackingmaulingdevouringman.thumb.jpg.26422e01632fcc3e4985d57f8fee9b34.jpg

5a5cc4f492cc6_KingdomofKushKushiteMeroiticperiodpottery.jpg.476afad235d4a722ecd39dc49a7c09a9.jpg

5a5cc50c68738_KingdomofKushKushitepotteryfieldwork_gabati.jpg.b2ed0d2f7bcb538c4998c1108665ad4e.jpg

 

Frogs reminiscent of the frog statues from the water reservoir at Basa

5a5cc50fef055_KingdomofKushKushitepotteryfrogdesigns.jpg.f191afd44b25000a9d18ac0b29437452.jpg

5a5cc51abe93b_KingdomofKushKushitepotteryspout.thumb.jpg.dcf41a77b6a16a4daefb7bee5c3531db.jpg

 

Mythical figures, one playing a double piped flute, the other apparently dancing. 

5a5cc51e51424_KingdomofKushKushitepotterywithpaintingofnakedmythicalfigureswithtailsplayingdoublepipedfluteanddancing.thumb.jpg.38f8aa888cb2ae3073c968a9a4f01ff6.jpg

5a5cc6f83b94f_KingdomofKushKushitevessel.jpg.deeabfa7a88c82623fc4875a64bbb6ea.jpg

5a5cc735a8329_KingdomofKushKushitecupfromHamadab.thumb.jpg.31c77eeecc67a393337724e468aba41e.jpg

 

 

A bunch of other stuff

 

This piece is not Kushite. It's from Roman era Egypt, and depicts a Meroitic emissary or dignitary

5a5cc7f4738c9_RomanEgyptianfigureofameroiticemissaryordignitary.jpg.7dd997e89c8715a29a2099273baa8008.jpg

 

A coloured rendition of a statuette of Maleton, governor of Karanaog 

5a5cc7f1a018d_MaletongovernororPesteofKaranogMeroiticperiodstonestatuettecoloured.thumb.jpg.b3e10fe25fff91fdeda7a6fe1b822d2a.jpg

 

The funerary stele of Meteye, in colour. Swastika can not be unseen. I also can't help but feel some kind of oriental vibe on the naked fellow on the right. Also, he's blond, although Kushites were known to dye their hair blond on occasion. 

5a5cc7ccb1308_KingdomofKushKushitefunerarystelaofMeteye.thumb.jpg.9cb6ac437d3d0c07f835263a25b41753.jpg

 

Remarkably Egyptian looking figurines from Meroitic Kush, depicting king Natakamani (1BC - 20AD), from Naqa. 

5a5cc7d12a373_KingdomofKushKushiteKingNatakamanifromNaqaNagaAmuntemplestatuetteWildung.thumb.jpg.19ec3af0d93c49804d338fcf19d6b7ab.jpg

 

A lion headed water outlet from Abu Erteila. These types of waterworks (ancient plumbing of a high level) are also known from Meroë and Musawwarat. 

5a5cc7b8e9aaf_CutstonelionheadcoveringfordrainwaterpipeoutletatAbuErteila.jpg.5b839188a2fc034155350d6122f9a2d5.jpg

 

Lion statues from Abu Erteila

5a5cc7d8af8a3_KingdomofKushKushitestonelionsfromAbuErteila.thumb.jpg.86d3ce5a515bc902e2f4cd353acb416c.jpg

 

Canopic Heads. Basically the cork stoppers of special vessels.

5a5cc7c193b51_KingdomofKushKushitecanopicjarheadsfromElKurru.thumb.jpg.4d144807fc4286bcae35377025cb360b.jpg

 

Cut stone head of a Kushite princess Shepenupet II, daughter of Piye/Piankhi sister of taharqa and Shabaka of the 25th dynasty, from Alexandria, National Museum, Egypt

5a5cc7eabe65a_kushiteprincessHeadofShepenupetIIdaughterofPiyeorPiankhisisteroftaharqaandShabakaofthe25thdynastyfromAlexandriaNationalMuseumEgypt.thumb.JPG.0f9701ab9374ebf5dd0afae71f76da8d.JPG

 

Amulet showing the Pharaoh Taharqa suckling from the tit of Sekhmet, an Egyptian leonine Goddess. 

5a5cc7dad45b2_kingdomofkushkushiteTaharqanursedbylionheadedbastet.jpg.3726f0f4974ecb18bd4b7be87139f72d.jpg

 

Various plaques in various materials with the cartouche of King Anlamani

5a5cc7e2488e9_KingdomofKushKushiteVariousplaqueswiththecartoucheofKingAnlamani.thumb.jpg.810711087b04cb432afbeb14092612a1.jpg

 

2 examples a bead-sacks 

5a5cc7bdd6587_KingdomofKushKushitebeadsbeadedbagsackpouch.thumb.jpg.cb685307337597d9723ed2ba24783ac1.jpg

 

And finally, Piye's cat

5a5cc7c4a2e38_KingdomofKushKushiteCatshapedamuletofpiye.thumb.jpg.7d80328e11ec466763fcea2ae29b773e.jpg

 

 

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Kush in Popular Art

Oh boy, I've been looking forward to this post for a looong time... As the title suggests, this post showcases contemporary artworks on the subject of Kush. It can be seen as a large addendum to The Kingdom of Kush in Popular Culture. Not every image is 100% historically accurate (art rarely is), which is why I thought it was important to wrestle through the previous large reference posts, so that the historicity of these artworks can be more easily assessed (and understand how to improve on these concepts). It goes without saying that I focused on those pieces that actually have some value in terms of potential inspiration. 

@stanislas69, @wackyserious, @LordGood, @wowgetoffyourcellphone, this post might be of interest to you.

 

Kush in Popular Art:

Spoiler

I'll just begin with my favourite piece:

One of the main characters in "The Pack, a new comic book series by Paul Louise-Julie. He's a Kushite mercenary in service of a late Egyptian Pharaoh. The scale armour corselet, the khopesh, the hairstyle, even the pieces of fabric tied around his upper arms are all very lovely details.

the-pack-Paul-Louise-Julie-graphic-novel-comic-series-egyptian-werewolves-4.thumb.jpg.9c6a0cf5fba2c739ef9249571c873915.jpg

 

The two main characters. Even those golden fly shaped pendants (a sign of valour in battle) are a common find in Napatan period tombs. I think the lower arm guards are a bit of fantasy though.

ThePak_pic1.thumb.jpg.0563a40b394dd5a612b198fccdbcb279.jpg

 

This Sherden type sword is rather plausible, the shoulder pads not so much. Lovely detail in the Amun shaped pendant. 

kush-11x17.thumb.jpg.57956376bfbf1010b845f4e120ceac27.jpg

 

- Come on baby, you know that girl meant nothing to me...

- Uhu...

16722731_1352445268169098_7798949565380553282_o.thumb.jpg.0ca5eafb3e58827da16f1ef79ded9f4e.jpg

 

"Kandake" is the Meroitic title used for female rulers, and is the origin of the modern day English name "Candace" (mentioned in the bible) 

23415644_869133669907748_7621265742692166934_o.thumb.jpg.e25a9e58ea765d426bb3dcc0abb8a78c.jpg

 

Nubian hounds alongside their master, by Katja Turnsek

0e3f8934816402014628dfc0e0c268d6.thumb.jpg.c401570decad4cccce3af7d55f92b46c.jpg

 

Oldschool depiction of a Kushite ruler

0346c4ff85155e4e93b1f5459f7db2b8.jpg.1aff931992f7629b15ad756ea053df55.jpg

 

Newschool depiction of a Kushite ruler, by Aleksandr Shukin. 

aleksandr-shukin-05-archer-final.thumb.jpg.8c2477f8fc126859f33c767040c36d2a.jpg

 

Taharqa, by Sanio

e368dc132e05bbeb27df992db1d08ddb.jpg.35307d4c0986a314ffd02ff94115749b.jpg

 

Civilisation VI art:

Piye

1099904605_preview_20170804025437_1.thumb.jpg.18e7ba87eee3d93e294c7411366d22f7.jpg

 

Taharqa

1099904605_preview_20170804025735_1.thumb.jpg.b90a953cdf930ac4a580e6463bf60fcd.jpg

 

Amanishakheto was apparently rather hot... According to Civ VI at least...

1099904605_preview_20170804025620_1.thumb.jpg.a7a70d5c4b6af89f5358ea446c1d16df.jpg

 

Queen Amanitore seems to be having a bad morning.. By Kat Berkley

k-berkley-amanitore-color-final-branded.thumb.jpg.cdccc954e61720c39fade7430a9aacc6.jpg

 

Every one of these concept pieces is rather good! By Kat Berkley

k-berkley-amanitore-sketch-compilation.thumb.jpg.73d04c1e739b87aad23bfe748f7588d7.jpg

 

The Royal Couple, By Dazinbane

nubian_royal_couple_by_dazinbane-dblt6yl.thumb.jpg.fb1aef12ad6b4ce96869124d2e72a790.jpg

 

5a60a9eb193cf_TheKingdomofKushKushiteroyalskingandqueen.jpg.7ca2501144471418e20c9225ade12d93.jpg

 

Taharqa at the great temple of Amun at Napata, flanked by an avenue of rams, Jebel Barkal and it's peak in the background.

5a60a9f2ccf33_TheKingdomofKushkushiteTaharqaatthegreatAmuntempleatJebelBarkalinNapata.thumb.jpg.af0eb05dcf749c3f0b8660938c6414eb.jpg

5a60a9e419553_ProcessionatNapata.thumb.jpg.3e0e6336e9d1e20fb94ace3dfd87e1c8.jpg

 

Embassy at Meroë, by Koyotenahual

embassy_at_meroe_by_koyotenahual-d88zn6g.jpg.9d070526efa6d62a4511d53b59f0b848.jpg

 

Nubian Queen, by Scarlett Royal

nubian-queen-scarlett-royal.thumb.jpg.6923cc8d9f69a3aa7e0d1df589e0ab2f.jpg

 

Another Nubian Queen, by Damilitaryart

nubia_queen_02_by_damilitaryart-d8cz934.thumb.jpg.6413ab813f3569f23afbebb18b30bd2b.jpg

 

Nubian Warrior Queen, by Eve Ventrue. A little over the top, but still pretty cool...

5a60a9bbb6b98_NubianwarriorQueenbyeve-ventrue-547e07581918de7@2x.thumb.jpg.a67ba9733b057ad20ff6a12a3f6b5ce1.jpg

 

The one eyed Kandake, by Miladyduchess. Queen Amanirenas celebrating a successful raid on Roman Egypt, and the capture of Augustus' bronze head. 

the_one_eyed_kandake_by_miladyduchess-d7z70ur.png.1b61eec16fb15cffba6487efc5a8ce7f.png

 

"Nubian" King overseeing trade with Egyptians

5a60a9b3b4e98_NubianKingKush.thumb.jpg.ea3cf1392f9c469123553167b75f54fd.jpg

 

Taharqa is quite a popular figure. Too bad he's out of the time-frame

5a60a9ac27da1_Kushitekingtaharqa.thumb.jpg.a0d3c6a195843d2ba6814e8a8f3bdcdd.jpg

 

So is Piye

5a60a9df5f732_PiankhyPiyeKushitepharaoh.thumb.jpg.ea121115ec848b78b4f7173e837c5491.jpg

 

A smart looking character, based on a Kushite royal, by Keith Williams

keith-williams-warrior-03.thumb.jpg.38515225dc5f8c416cfe4f4530df55af.jpg

 

The quintessentially "Nubian archer", by Shanegreer

nubian_archer_color_by_shanegreer-dblwfsp.thumb.jpg.018bf43ee9e7879e00498f287e68144d.jpg

 

A "Nubian" spearman, by Marcus Pierno

ezoAUlLgMesM7T8j.jpg.ae638b67819a216514540cac9a410b2b.jpg

 

Nubian spearman by Daniel George Mitchell

nubian_warrior_by_art_mitchell-d7wun3u.thumb.jpg.20d5ae50cac1ac1f9016e837ca1b83a7.jpg

 

"Tense partnership", by Habaritess. Euhm...

tense_partnership__redraw_by_habaritess-dbnidsy.thumb.jpg.ccce5c6df724578166b03d058d6f27b2.jpg

 

Nubian body guard, by Christian Johnson. Very good reference for our Nuba mercs.

christian-johnson-nubean-lrge.thumb.jpg.a1caa0bebd76f6ef3ca65a37f91e7c9b.jpg

 

"Big Black Warrior", by Gauntle. Black Hercules... Blercules...

c92638e2a471fa16d09766ccfb392538.thumb.jpg.217fdbf0be578c4adaa96d1d90305555.jpg

 

A dude with that axe-mace thing, by @#$% J...?

5a60a9c00c3c9_Nubianwarrior.jpg.aad7e3969cf14bf49f5964ed1eeb21d4.jpg

 

Oldschool depiction of Kushite spearman, archer and chief. 

5a60a985986e0_Infantryarcherchief.thumb.jpg.4742a645064188d216555f9bc75705d4.jpg

 

Kushite mercenary archer holding a throwing-stick, with his loyal Nubian Hound, alongside a Sherden mercenary, in Bronze Age Egypt.

5a60a9b76be7a_NubianSherdenseapeople.thumb.jpg.f96d7603daae3780d60432cfdb7336a6.jpg

 

Nubian archer on a camel, by Mustangart. The archer looks excellent. The fact that he's sitting on a camel not so much. Better to reserve that roll for the experts of the desert, the Blemmye.

nubian_rider_archer_by_mustangart-d7xnfvu.thumb.jpg.8d47a036cc0bb48b8e7829759c903355.jpg

 

Kushite war-elephants. I think the image on the left is perfect for our Hero Arakamani (Ergamenes). I do think that even an Indian elephant would buckle under the weight of 7 grown men, making the image on the right a little fantasy-esque. Lovely shields though 

ALT-Elef.thumb.jpg.99bdba298cac96cbacb2e3012e2eefa4.jpg

 

"The Nubian Empire of the Nile", by Ricsnodgrass. A cute collage of Kushite architecture. Not super accurate, but a valiant attempt nonetheless. 

nubiankings_by_ricsnodgrass-dasl5tz.thumb.jpg.781eb8ceec12d3c15c6fb719dece97ac.jpg

 

The Meroitic pyramids in happier times, by Crash Baby

ancient_meroe_by_crash_baby-d7uj46d.jpg.bd94f214540592696845139bea0ebd68.jpg

 

Even happier times

f395ff15901249.562986d89b23b.jpg.f3446748fcb7739d7817fd74cd749e32.jpg

 

And the ultimate destruction of the Meroitic pyramids by Giuseppe Ferlini, a 19th century Italian treasure hunter.

d3b9b515901249.562986d03dfde.jpg.3d0be7b593bc6b3fe9ceda9d24babf6a.jpg

 

 

Egyptian stuff that looks Kushite:

 

"Nefertiti", by artbymikedaledesigns (18th Dynasty). Those thighs... 

19367252_263457150799651_2518302933834006528_n.thumb.jpg.00a30ac76db0d22ed334f28a98df90fa.jpg

 

By Eric Leon

20837167_1404332329615121_1939170870786260992_n.thumb.jpg.30ad80f464f8b13ebe3f59675391eb10.jpg

 

Fille du Pharaon Noir

I erroneously shared an image from the following book before, thinking it was Kushite (you'll understand why), please forgive me. It's supposed to be a 12th dynasty Egyptian story, but looks more like an 18th dynasty story. Both dynasties are sometimes referred to as "Nubian" dynasties, on account of the presumed Nubian origins of the royal house and the strong African features in Egyptian art of the time. Basically every element pictured in this series of images has direct parallels in Kush... Not surprising seen as the Egyptianisation of Kush reached high-points during these dynasties.

Tia-couv-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.73483645775f4f97b3ec39a2ac0fe9fc.jpg

Tiaa-01-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.07dd4f79b6324a2e6464821b992030de.jpg

Tiaa-02-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.8c6362a3afa8d3a96e6db53b6799300c.jpg

Tiaa-03-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.12c54fbbf5edf968a3188d1880c5f582.jpg

Tiaa-04-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.89be6b8843014b7101ff3106266c7195.jpg

Tiaa-05-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.38fab44b16df23fabbef49812c1974d7.jpg

Tiaa-06-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.2617e94e3d28abe52d45913a2735391b.jpg

Tiaa-08-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.5be54e21cbe67ca4d011b3160d3b6dbe.jpg

Tiaa-10-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.6d055589043c82787c874e223f244074.jpg

Tiaa-11-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.d1984628dde518778e3cd4d50a4d0cc5.jpg

 

I love the way the quay has steps leading in to the water, and these steps would look very nice on our own model of the Kushite dock. Very Nile-valley-looking... We need a model of those Kushite stone lion statues as a prop, to line the front of the Civic center, flank the entrance of the Lion temple, and perhaps to flank the stone steps of of our dock, facing the river like these ibis statues. Any thoughts, LordGood?

Tiaa-13-Pharaon.thumb.jpg.e4bcda695683b3238fcfefae603809d8.jpg

 

I just can't not share this... Eddie Murphy, Imani, and Michael Jackson in Remember the time. Forever on my playlist :):):):

 

 

 

 

Edited by Sundiata
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10 hours ago, Servo said:

I wish I could build a base like that in 0Ad. I don’t care if houses and buildings are big and units are like ants as long as the sizes are real.

I feel you... A sort of city-builder mode... People say this is an RTS and not a city-builder, but I think Pyrogenesis could theoretically handle it, and a lot of people dream of this kind of game (city-builder / civilisation management, with real-time combat). Maybe one day :) 

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14 minutes ago, Sundiata said:

I feel you... A sort of city-builder mode... People say this is an RTS and not a city-builder, but I think Pyrogenesis could theoretically handle it, and a lot of people dream of this kind of game (city-builder / civilisation management, with real-time combat). Maybe one day :) 

A city-builder mod is definitely doable. Would be even better if hard battalions were implemented.

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Just now, wowgetoffyourcellphone said:

Would be even better if hard battalions were implemented.

Yeah, recruiting single units should be reviewed.. Who in the world trains one guy at a time? Not armies, that's who. Armies train battalions/squads/platoons...

By the way, I think I figured out the problem causing barrack-spam, and people training 1 dude each from 20 different barracks at the same time, to take advantage of iffy game-mechanics. please, bear with me:

Currently training times for a basic citizen soldier, example:

  • 1 unit: 10 sec
  • 5 units: 30 sec
  • 10 units: 50 sec
  • 50 units: 2:30 min
  • 100 units: 4:11 min

I think this is wrong. Training more people shouldn't take more time, it should take less. Training 5 units in 30 sec, and 50 units in 2:30 min, is unnatural, and causes unnatural game-play. If you train more units at a time, you spend much less resources (like time) per unit trained. In the real world, training large batches of units in one time, from 1 facility, is much more time efficient than training 1 unit at a time from many facilities.

If recruitment time for larger batches would only increase nominally (a little extra for logistics), the ability to recruit large armies depends on your resources, and not on how many barracks you spam

I think it should be something like:

  • 1 unit: 10 sec
  • 5 units: 20 sec
  • 10 units: 30 sec
  • 50 units: 1 min
  • 100 units: 1:30 min

If you have the resources, why not? Thoughts?

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By the way, I think training times in general need to be increased, like

  • 1 unit: 30 sec
  • 5 units: 60 sec
  • 10 units: 1:30 min
  • 50 units: 3 min
  • 100 units: 4:30 min

Make people actually care about their soldiers. And please just add an eco-only unit/villagers (with 10 sec train time). I don't understand why this is so controversial?! It has nothing to do with anything. Just doesn't make any sense not to have them. It's weird...

Just now, wowgetoffyourcellphone said:

Also, if battalions are implemented, training one battalion at a time makes sense. You get something like 24 dudes per battalion if you go by my old battalions proposal.

Yeah, sounds really nice. But one question, why are hard battalions so important for you? What's the benefit of the hard? Just seems like an annoying limitation for people who are used to microing individual units. I suggest you start out without battalions (unorganised hordes, like now). Then you research your battalion-tech and now have access to battalions and all their glorious benefits (you're army evolves). It would make you really appreciate battalions, and the ability to micro individual units wouldn't be hampered if you want to. I think the best way to get a battalion system accepted by the community is if you retain the same flexibility you have right now, with the addition of battalions. An integrated solution, rather than a complete overhaul. Fixing formations will also help battalion systems greatly. 

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1 minute ago, Sundiata said:

But one question, why are hard battalions so important for you? Just seems like an annoying limitation for people who are used to microing individual units.

Because I don't want to micro individual units in the middle of a battle. :) I'd rather micro: charges, formations, facing, flanking, stances, etc.

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Just now, wowgetoffyourcellphone said:

Because I don't want to micro individual units in the middle of a battle. :) I'd rather micro: charges, formations, facing, flanking, stances, etc.

Me too... But most RTS-players are used to micro individual units. It's been an RTS staple for a very long time and I don't think a lot of people are willing to give that up entirely. How would scout units work? Surely you'd want to micro them. A lot of people like to use single units like an organic outpost. How about women/villagers/eco-units? Spies? traders? priests? I'd love the ability to compose my battalions unit by unit. replacing, adding, removing individual and/or unique units. Just the freedom to play it the way you want: highly organised Hellenic phalanx vs marauding hordes of barbarians. Celts, Iberians, Britons would look a little unnatural if they're all in highly organised Mediterranean style battalions. how would you implement these informal formations? I'd die for a battalion system, I'd just like it to be super-flexible. 

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1 hour ago, Sundiata said:

By the way, I think training times in general need to be increased, like

  • 1 unit: 30 sec
  • 5 units: 60 sec
  • 10 units: 1:30 min
  • 50 units: 3 min
  • 100 units: 4:30 min

That's very easy to do yourself. Just create mod containing a tiny file such as:

{
  "affects": ["Structure", "Unit"],
  "autoResearch": true,
  "genericName": "Global Multipliers",
  "icon": "imperial_phase.png",
  "modifications": [
    {"value": "Cost/BuildTime",                     "multiply":  3.0, "affects": "Unit"     },
    {"value": "ProductionQueue/BatchTimeModifier",  "add":      -0.2, "affects": "Structure"}
  ]
}

That should work (and be compatible with any mod or game version).

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37 minutes ago, Sundiata said:

Well, that's relative... :whistling:

Here you go: https://wildfiregames.com/forum/index.php?/topic/23904-global-multipliers/

38 minutes ago, Sundiata said:

I was more interested in your opinions on how it affects gameplay though. Size and training time of armies being determined by resources and not barrack spam.

Actually I think the game is too fast paced and it won't hurt if unit training times were increased (which I have done in 0abc). Lowering the batch time multiplier (i.e. making it more effective) is something I don't like, because it favours the rich and powerful (who are already at an advantage), thus making the game more unbalanced.

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34 minutes ago, Sundiata said:

It's pretty historical though :P  

Is it? Small Athens and Sparta defeated the massive Persian Empire on several occassions. The large Seleucid Empire avoided pitched battles against lesser opponents, because they could not afford to lose a section of their hard-to-replace army. The Roman Empire with a population of possibly a hundred million was overrun by Germanic tribes numbering rarely more than tens of thousands. The Mongols conquered the very rich, powerful, and vastly more populous Khwarezmian (Persia) and Song (China) empires. Et cetera.

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DE an 0abc have good farm system which could limit food production. My issue of the game is that it’s so easy to produce armies. The reason is easy to gather resources too. Pros even abuse building 2-3 dropsites on stone and metals. Then once resources are available they build multiple barracks and spam units like crazy.

If 0ad started as trying to clone AoE the mechanics should have been maintained except that soldiers can gather. Soldiers can be trained only on military structures. Instead of training military units from CC it could have been specialist or skilled workers. This way the military unit production is more delayed. If soldiers are not allowed to gather they can be disbanded to become regular workers. 

Sorry to hijack your thread man. I just hope they will include the kushites in the next Alpha. The structures are really nice and one having the best size proportions. If there are eye candy grass, trees etc the base will not become very dul looking. The units are awesome too!

 

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8 hours ago, Sundiata said:

Me too... But most RTS-players are used to micro individual units. It's been an RTS staple for a very long time and I don't think a lot of people are willing to give that up entirely. How would scout units work? Surely you'd want to micro them. A lot of people like to use single units like an organic outpost. How about women/villagers/eco-units? Spies? traders? priests? I'd love the ability to compose my battalions unit by unit. replacing, adding, removing individual and/or unique units. Just the freedom to play it the way you want: highly organised Hellenic phalanx vs marauding hordes of barbarians. Celts, Iberians, Britons would look a little unnatural if they're all in highly organised Mediterranean style battalions. how would you implement these informal formations? I'd die for a battalion system, I'd just like it to be super-flexible. 

No offense but I've answered alllllll of this before ad nauseam. :)

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50 minutes ago, wowgetoffyourcellphone said:

No offense but I've answered alllllll of this before ad nauseam. :)

None taken! I realised this while typing... I'll read up on your proposals a little more when I have time. 

 

30 minutes ago, av93 said:

What it's lacking for finishing the civs in the differents mods?

For Kushites, it's mostly art stuff and indigenous names. Some special props would be nice (sitting lion statues, Ram statue on pedestal, the large simple type reddish Meroitic pottery). Other than that I think it's mostly tooling around to find the right combination of things/balancing stuff, other things I know little about.

For other civs, I think Han Chinese are basically finished (correct me if I'm wrong). I think Xiongnu are playable, but don't know exactly what still needs doing. 

 

@Servo I agree with all of that ;) 

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