Egyptian Pyramids.

Ancient Egyptian artwork.

3100 BCE Ancient Egyptian civilization begins Lasted 3000 year

331 BCE Occupied by Greeks

Settlements along the Nile grew into political states (3100 BCE)

Decline in power after Ramses

Civil war eventually conquered by Assyrians, Persians, and Greeks

Known for their advances

Canal connected Nile River to the Red Sea

Exchanged knowledge and technologies Evidence of their contact with other

civilizations

Complex Based on many gods and mythologies Gods had power over all Life after death – planned for it Writing – hieroglyphics Architecture - pyramids

Two kingdoms – Upper and Lower Eventually united

Over 30 dynasties Old, Middle, New Kingdoms

Pharoahs were powerful rulers

Kush pyramids. Influenced by Egyptian architecture.

Began in 3800 BCE

Peaked in 1500 – 300 BCE

Fell in 300 CE Meroë and the Kingdom of Kush end

Grew up south of Egypt in modern day Sudan

Called Nubia 751 BCE – started war with Egypt By 671 BCE – parts were conquered by the

Assyrians Demand for iron ore had a big impact on

environment When it can’t be produced, trade declines No farming

Natural wealth: Iron ore source; Gold Meroë

Important trade centre for Nile, Red Sea, and sub-Saharan Africa

Traded: gold, iron goods, ivory, ebony, leopard skins, wood

Received: cotton, glassware, jewellery, bronze lamps

Exported war elephants

Built grand palaces, huge temples, and great burial chambers

Influenced by Egypt – afterlife worshipped similar gods Pyramids Mummified their dead and placed them

in tombs Eventually an interest in Christianity

developed (post-contact)

Great political skill

Ruled by a king

Great military strength

The obelisks at Axum. Obelisks were used as tombstones to honour kings.

324 CE Conversion to Christianity

Peaked in 4th/5th centuries

1000 survive in the Mountains

Located in Ethiopian Highlands

Peak of power in 4th/5th centuries

Decline Retreated into mountains for 4000 years-

modern Ethiopia Arabs took over Adulis End of sea trade

Own coins Luxury goods

Glass, metal, gold, ivory, animal hides brought by inland groups to be traded there

Merchants prospered Ports

Adulis, Axum, Matara Adulis was the centre for world trade, a

vital link for world trade imports – cotton, salt, etc.

blend of Arab and African cultures

Accommodated religious minorities too Ex. Jews, Christians

High literacy levels

Converted to Christianity under King Ezana

Government: King led

Other: advanced agricultural technology Used irrigation and ploughing

Drawing of conflict in Ghana.

Examples of traditional dress.

500 CE – rose to power

1050 CE – peaked

1054 CE – fell to Arabs

1076 – collapsed under Sosso ruler, Samaguru

West Africa – originated with Sonike clan

Good position between Niger and Senegal rivers

Kumbi Saleh(capital city) Two centres

Professionals, traders, religious leaders Royal palace Citizens in between the two centres

Fell to Arabs in 1054 Weakened by drought, changes in

trades-became vulnerable

Made wealthy through trade in gold and salt

People paid taxes in salt, silk, iron, spices

Prosperity led to growth in towns

Practised own traditional beliefs

A god created and controlled all

Respected and revered ancestors

Muslims practised in Ghana – kept historical records

King (powerful) Religious leader Chief of army Highest judge

Maintained large armies to guard trade routes

Traditional Malian architecture.

Transporting goods.

1230 CE Sundiata takes over

1337 Mansa Musa dies Decline begins

1468 Timbuktu seized by Songhai army The end of the empire

Began when Samaguru was defeated by Sundiata in an epic battle.

Expanded territory and took over Sahara trade routes

People were farmers and herders Political instability when Mansa Musa

dies Crumbled Raided by Mossi and Tuareg

Written documents (contracts, records) Arabic language

Many still practice traditional religions Rulers converted to Islam in the 11th

century Increased trade connections

Timbuktu Universities, libraries, elaborate art Centre for commerce, learning, and culture

Ruler / Dictator Strong army May have been transatlantic explorers Mansa Musa Greatest king (1307-1332 CE)

1464 CE Sonni Ali takes over

1591 Morrocan invasion Fall of the Songhai empire

Had been part of Mali

Taken over by Songhai to control trade routes

Revolt – Askia Daoud restores order

Morrocan invasion divided Songhai Loss of trade led to collapse of kingdom

Slavery was important part Captives of war, prisoners, enemies,

criminals Used as porters on trade routes Sold it

Practiced traditional religion

Goods were horses, spices, cloth

Mohammad Askia promoted Islamic ways

Islamic(Muslim) religion, law, education

Timbuktu became centre of religion, education, science, and culture

Ruler / Dictator Large army maintained Made major contributions in medical

knowledge and technology Appointed people who were trusted to

govern the provinces Local leaders in conquered territories

Abandoned ruins of Great Zimbabwe.

Ariel view of Great Zimbabwe.

1000 CE – settlement

15th century – decline begins

1450 – abandon site of Great Zimbabwe

Located in Southern Africa between Zambezi and Limpopo rivers

Link to port of Sofala (gold trade)

Declined when gold supplies ran out Trade affected Site could not support them - abandoned

Imports: Silk, spices, cotton, porcelain

Exports: gold

Mwari – supreme Shona god

Great Zimbabwe may have been religious centre

Skilled craftspeople and metal workers Example page 58

Shona People

Other: Stone buildings

Built without mortar Carved columns

Huts in Swahili.

Kilwa ruins.

900 CE – begin to emerge

12-13th centuries – flourished

16th century – decline begins

Developed along southeast coast of Africa

9 major city-states: Mogadishu - Mombasa Zanzibar - Barawaa Gedi - Pate Malindi -Kilwa Sofala

Decline starts with conquests by Portugese traders

Exports: Gold, ivory, crops, enslaved people, ebony

Imports: Asian products

Silks, spices, porcelain

Extensive trade with Persians, Somalis, and Muslims in India, Indonesia

Islam connected them to world of trade Integrated Swahili, Bantu-speaking and

Arabs Kishwahili – unique language Literate people Elaborate buildings

Enjoyed finer things in life

Controlled by upper-class nobility Technological advances

Cloth making, boat building, decorative arts

Arranged marriages with trade partners Government clerks, court officials