The Kingdom of Kush: Africa’s Forgotten Empire of Power
Fexingo History · North Africa
The Kingdom of Kush: Africa's Forgotten Empire of Power
For over a thousand years, the Kingdom of Kush flourished along the Nile, south of Egypt, building pyramids, conquering pharaohs, and ruling an empire that stretched from the Mediterranean to the heart of Africa. Hosts Lucas and Luna guide listeners through the rise of Kush at Kerma, its golden age at Napata, and its final flowering at Meroë. Explore the reign of Piye, who conquered Egypt and founded the 25th Dynasty, and the warrior queen Amanirenas, who led Kushite armies against Rome. Trace the development of the Meroitic script, still only partially deciphered, and the worship of Apedemak, the lion-headed god. Uncover the economic networks of ironworking, gold, and incense that linked Kush to the Mediterranean, Arabia, and sub-Saharan Africa. This show grapples with the legacy of Kush as a Black civilization often overshadowed by Egypt, examining how race, colonialism, and historiography have shaped its study. From the earliest Kerma kings to the final collapse of Meroë around 350 CE, each episode unearths new evidence from archaeology and ancient texts, challenging old narratives and raising fresh questions about power, culture, and identity.
