What happened to the lost Kingdom of Kush? - Geoff Emberling

Trace the rise and fall of the Kingdom of Kush, an overlooked ancient African civilization which fought off both the Egyptians and Romans.
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Along the Nile River, in what is now northern Sudan, lay the ancient civilization of Kush. Though they were once conquered by a powerful neighbor, the kings and queens of Kush would go on to successfully challenge two of the most dominant empires in history: the Egyptians and the Romans. So what happened to this African kingdom? Geoff Emberling details the rise and fall of the Kush empire.
Lesson by Geoff Emberling, directed by Carlos Rupit & Lizeth Rodríguez.
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[@origaminosferatu3357]

Stealing the bronze head of Augustus and burying it under your temple so your worshippers can walk on it is a pretty baller move. Also, these animations are gorgeous - bringing me strong Age of Empires I vibes.

[@thomasbishop7284]

Wololo

[@nomadiccheese4911]

Im suprised augustus didn't go all out with them because of that insult considering his status as Emperor or "Princeps"

[@origaminosferatu3357]

@@nomadiccheese4911 he probably didn't even know about it.

[@artsylovelylady]

@@nomadiccheese4911 He was probably too busy hunting down Cleopatra's children to worry about it.

[@Albimaristan]

The thing is, they did not. In fact, the Romans humiliated them later in the war and sacked their empire as far as Napata and then returned home only for the Kushites to raid southern Egypt and steal some statues which the Romans later reclaimed -mostly-. The Bronze Head of Augustus is probably the only statue that remained. I ahte when some African American "historians" polish history to suit their political motivations. First they say that Egyptians were the same people as those who were sent to America as slaves from the West Coast and that all current Egyptians are Arab invaders -which is absurd to any one with a few brain cells-. And now they claim the Kushite rule over Egypt was gentle and beautiful. I do not expect you to say the same thing about the Egyptrian rule over Kush, but do not make it look as if Egyptian princes betrayed anybody when they wanted to expel Tharqa. An interesting thing though, Taharqa fled from the Assyrians leaving women of his household behind him.

[@jonasortiz1870]

when the kushites and romans dapped each other up, that was pretty cool.

[@Chris11825]

Best moment in history

[@jmgonzales7701]

@@Chris11825 weird that they were someone allies

[@workinprogress6504]

Allien?

[@Christian-fg1ff]

Which dap?

[@chairwood]

@@Christian-fg1ff dap at 3:32

[@emansadig5672]

As a Nubian from Sudan, it's so amazing to finally see our history being talked about and enjoyed by so many. It's often overlooked or grouped in with Ancient Egypt when it fully deserves its own focus

[@tima.478]

The Europeans (Whites) wanted your ancestors history to be lost forever. They never wanted this great story to be told.

[@garbonomics]

The problem is that Nubians themselves are not taking, writing and making information about thier culture known. Instead they are waiting for westerners to do it for them.

[@tima.478]

It was a truly amazing dynasty!@sandrahales9103

[@tengia7927]

​​@@tima.478That's gibberish, you said. You have also great history. But that just not so popular as European, or Egyptian history.

[@Emogyal]

I’m Cushitic (Ethiopian).

[@i_teleported_bread7404]

"Dad look, it's the good kush." "This is Egypt, how good can it be?"

[@lucasmartin9511]

This is so good

[@bag3lmonst3r72]

Goddammit, beat me to it. Have my like

[@Lone-Lee]

This is the second comment I've seen, with reference to _'good Kush'_ . Can anyone explain me what it is?

[@blueblaze27]

I knew someone would make this joke the moment i saw the thumbnail, nice

[@Jackson33miller]

@@Lone-Lee weed is sometimes referred to as kush, OP was implying Egypt’s weed is not very good

[@kinkykoilykawaii]

As a lover of history, I think all African history is grossly under studied and taught. There are probably many great discoveries and lessons waiting for the western world.

[@djinnjax3274]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJOxpKifasR4aac

[@alohaXamanda]

Yeah I'm just now starting to learn about the huge influence of African civilizations during ancient times (outside of Egypt), and I have a degree in anthropology. We barely breezed over African civilizations in my western civ classes and only focused on the modern groups and tribes in my cultural anthro courses. It leaves me asking why, because I went to a very liberal school that focused heavily on decentering european perspectives...apparently not enough!

[@napolien1310]

@@alohaXamanda because we still don't know about these civilisations we don't know a lot about them, did they leave a writing system and we broke it!!? No we still don't know about them and were these African civilisations (a side from the northern or western Africans) border another civilisation that wrote about them!!? Yes or no!!? So how do u want to learn about these civilisations where we only know their names and a couple of things about them.

[@hohesC24]

this is mainly due to the history of historical science, which in the 19th century originated in Europe. without these pioneers we wouldn't have any systematic historical research. :)

[@djinnjax3274]

@@hohesC24 I believe the word you’re referring to is Historiography.

[@no.reply_]

Lovely animation would love more on ancient African civilizations, like Benin, Wolof, and Axum, there's so much to explore

[@bixmcgoo5355]

lol africans mastered the art of ancient civilization so well, they're still living in it

[@innitbruv-lascocomics9910]

@@bixmcgoo5355 I love how you guys like to take comments about wanting to.learn more history as a scapegoat to troll. Never stop being sad trolls, just uh....never stop, I guess.

[@miguelrodriguez-pineroriva6713]

Kanem, Zulu

[@nyanSynxPHOENIX]

I agree! Both ancient and modern Africa is so rarely learned about that people legitimately think that Africa still is like an ancient civilization today. Sadly, we typically only learn about all of the horrible outcomes of European imperialism within the last few hundred years, and refuse to think of cultural, political, and environmental destruction as an inherently European trait of the modern day nations across the continent.

[@abhinavneoharysvarma8551]

True, I'm genuinely interested in learning more about ancient African civilizations.

[@CharmingReality]

The first time I ever heard of Kush, was aged 17 when Nas released “I Can” and speaks of “Empires in Africa called Kush”. Imagine learning about this via hip hop and not Bia the curriculum

[@boterham7144]

Dont under-estimate the knowledge that can be found in true hip hop culture

[@Buttercup697]

Unfortunately what history we learned in American schools is anglo-centric … even our “World history” curriculum.

[@datboiisforreal]

Well... it's impossible to learn about everything there is to know just from school. Also it makes completely sense that unless you study in an African school, you are not going to learn about African countrys histories. I think it is extremely important to learn things on your own. Most of the things i know from history, science and so much more, is from me studying on my own, one google search, youtube video, book, documentary (etc.) at a time. Hardest thing of course is to know what information is reliable and what is false, so studying really requires a mind that is sharpened everytime a "truth" has been discovered and a lie has been exposed.

[@michaelterrell5061]

15 year old here. I learned about it when I was 13 in the 7th Grade. I had a white teacher and I went to private school. So, it just goes to show that curriculums are different.

[@dorcaselohorodidi8602]

Just like it make no sense for African Americans to learn about European history.

[@Artur_M.]

There were also three smaller Nubian kingdoms; Nobatia, Makuria, and Alodia, that existed after the fall of Kush and continued its legacy throughout the whole Medieval period, while successfully resisting the Muslim powers to the north. One of the precursors of serious research in this area, Prof. Kazimierz Michałowski (1901-1981) from Poland coined the term "Nubiology", suggesting that the history of Nubia (including Kush) is so long and rich that it deserves to be its own specialized discipline, like Egyptology.

[@blue.orangeade]

screenshotting this to remember to research about this, I'm sudnaese and I didn't even know this!

[@Artur_M.]

@@blue.orangeade Thanks! Also sorry, I've got the name of one of those kingdoms wrong, it should be Nobatia not 'Nabatia' (I apparently also wrote 'research' twice and didn't notice it). It's fixed now.

[@semregob3363]

Kushitic Kingdoms* not Nubian.

[@riAN1337]

the did indeed NOT continue the kushite legacy! those were 3 christian petty kingdoms under the influence of southern realms. this is clearly visible in material culture. think before you post such nonsense.

[@djantouahmed7319]

@@semregob3363 kush =nubia

[@youtubec8563]

I did a group presentation in high school about Kush/Nubia. This was one of most meaningful projects I’ve ever done.

[@blue.orangeade]

I'm sudanese that means alot to me 💗

[@tychocollapse]

If it was so meaningful to you, you must have a big emotional investment in racial identity. Too bad we can't all be humans nor give credit where credit is due.

[@masonarmand8988]

@@tychocollapse like you're doing by not giving credit to a society they identify with sheesh

[@theblackpearlofbraavos]

That was fantastic. So many have never heard of this ancient and prosperous civilization. Thanks, TedEd. And thanks for the awesome James Baldwin quote, too.

[@gabrielgarcia7554]

You may have also known of this region as “Nubia”. Kush was the name the Egyptians gave this region. Nubia refers to the Noba people who settled the region in the 400 AD (much later after the events in this video that are discussed). People have referred to the Kushites anachronistically as the Nubians, so you may be more familiar with that term.

[@theblackpearlofbraavos]

@@gabrielgarcia7554 I have, thanks! Soooo many amazing and wonderful histories and civilizations in that part of the world we know very little about. It's about time.

[@destingray2613]

Kush predates Egypt kush had alot of influence over Egypt in the early days of both empires and kush even conquered Egypt it wasn’t till the Syrians like she said helped and thats when Egypt became like a melting pot kinda like American today because Egypt and kush was basically one in the same made by the same ppl and don’t forget about Ethiopians they have alot of history that they don’t want the white man getting hold of

[@destingray2613]

There a reason like she said the west doesn’t speak on kush cause in all reality kush is where Egypt started

[@ROBIN50111]

I’m Nubian from north Sudan Thank you for this beautiful video and for recounting part of our history. Today, some Dutch scholars discovered a very old church in the Kerma region.

[@Hippobottomless]

But I thought the Cushites and Nubians were kinda the same but different tho. Aren’t the Cushites from the Horn of Africa and the Nubians/Nilotes from South Sudan originally from Northern Sudan before the Arabs pushed both the Cushites and the Nubians South?

[@pln4679]

I see what you’re saying but I believe its two, Kush is the kingdom in present day Northern Sudan and the Nilotics are present day South Sudan. The Cushites are the Horn of Africa like you said. You are pretty much correct, just missing one part

[@AG-xlr]

3:35 that handshake though

[@sammybore944]

I was half expecting the handshake from Predator

[@shamarlewis9419]

@@sammybore944 lol

[@booshoe2000]

Handshake everyone makes after hitting Kush

[@shonkeymoulder6972]

The old pound and point

[@gibraltar0553]

Kush gang gang

[@abdulmasaiev9024]

"What happened to the lost Kingdom of Kush" - did it go up in smoke?

[@ricofico]

They were conquered by the Aksum. The people intermingled with other tribes and cultures. They are now the Somali, Ethiopian, and Eritreans!

[@MrSimonw58]

My mate Dave smoked it all

[@jimgsewell]

@@MrSimonw58 Dave's not here

[@julianshepherd2038]

To be blunt, yeah

[@WilliamGarrow]

@@ricofico Kush is Sudanese and Egyptian nubians. Ethiopia/Eritrea and Somalia are not the people of Kush.

[@firenzarfrenzy4985]

I’m glad I’m alive in the time period where these overlooked civilisations are slowly being brought to light I’d love to see a video on the Nubian Empire

[@HeyNonyNonymous]

Nubia is the name of the region that includes Kush. I think the Nubian Empire might be another name for Kush.

[@erikpetersen-chinguacousys1943]

Overlooked by whom? Anyone who has studied, even briefly in passing, any classical Mediterranean history knows about the kingdom of Kush. In fact, in certain circles, I would say it even has near legendary status!

[@RojaJaneman]

Me too. Learning history with my kid.

[@astro9286]

@@erikpetersen-chinguacousys1943 kush isn’t often recognized in the mainstream, even though it shared the same culture with Egypt, and was pretty powerful and older than Egypt to the point where it’s history should be studied similar to Egypt which today doesn’t seem to be the case.

[@meocean5499]

@@astro9286 exactly. Egypt is always dissociated from Kush and the rest of Africa. On purpose ofc.

[@hanstar29]

I went to Meroe, the ancient Kingdom of Kush, in 2018. Amazing site. We were the only ones there. However, it is not receiving any support for maintenance or restoration. I hope it endures, and that Sudan calms, so that more can witness its beauty.

[@hohesC24]

i don't understand why sudan itself is not interested in it

[@riAN1337]

completely wrong. there is a major project called QMPS working on restoring and preservating those sites. in 2020 they restored a funuary chapel of Beg.N. 07 i think. at least i did the photogrammatry on it. did you ever think of sudans GDP an the huge amount of archaeology there?? currently there are more than 20 missions working in sudan.

[@riAN1337]

@@hohesC24 they are, lots of archaeology students are working together with international missions as we speak

[@hanstar29]

@@riAN1337 @Hauke Gering that's great. I hope that's the case. When I was there, we didn't see anyone working on preservation, or any signs or warnings to stop tourists from destroying the site. There was graffiti from people who had been there a year before. I'm just relaying what I saw.

[@hohesC24]

@@riAN1337 Interesting, and are these Missions led by the Sudanese themselves? Or do they come from America, Europa, Asia .. to do research there?

[@succ3861]

I cannot believe Snoop Dog lost his own kingdom.

[@timbuktu777]

Hope they saved the kush.

[@mothboy420]

he got too high and forgot where he put it

[@Wertsir]

Now that’s a dank river valley.

[@Midnightv]

😂😂😂

[@junreybade1738]

😂😂😂👍👍👍😉

[@chaeyoungsbestie414]

I’ve never really bothered to learn much of Kush for fear of being disappointed by the little western literature that exists on it, but as someone that speaks a Cushitic language (Somali), this has inspired me to look more deeply into this history. I’m sure some of these folks were my ancestors, if not only loosely due to their relations with East Africa.

[@aijaeugene2858]

cushite is not the same as Kush the people of the nile valley were Nilotes

[@dasstud5023]

@@aijaeugene2858 No they were not!!!

[@dasstud5023]

You are not related to us be proud of your own history!! Kush is north sudanese people not you or nilotics

[@halimasafimohamed3587]

@@dasstud5023 Kush were started by the C-Group, they spoke a Cushitic language. There is also a new study of a 4kya hair that had an aDNA, this aDNA came back as one that can be "indistinguishable" from the one of Early pastoralists in EA.

[@theblackhat9769]

@@halimasafimohamed3587 so does that mean kush is just shared history between sudan and the horn of africa?

[@saywhat7077]

I'd read about Kush in the Bible, it was awesome even then, when I was only able to read fragments of their history. Now that I know a little bit more, it's amazing.

[@saywhat7077]

@@ario4795 I see. Thank you for telling me that 😊

[@hohesC24]

The kushites even appeared in cinema, e.g. The Ten Commandments (1956).

[@riAN1337]

yeah, the bible is a great history book....

[@hohesC24]

@@riAN1337 actually the bible is not a history book, it is much more a collection of contemporary texts, mainly jewish writings.

[@NubiansNapata]

@Justin Y. No... Somali are not from kush...

[@kushmathukiya9513]

Didn't know I had a kingdom!

[@finneasclarke7624]

😂😂

[@stevensamuel4634]

Such a lost kingdom that you forgot about it

[@HeyNonyNonymous]

Plot twist: you ARE the lost kingdom.

[@RojaJaneman]

That ‘Kush’ comes from ‘Hindu Kush’ mountains in Afghanistan where the Cannabis has been cultivated for centuries. It translates to ‘Killing/slaughter of Hindus’ in the Pashto language.

[@user-ft3ep1ep8y]

@@RojaJaneman yup

[@RobSomeone]

The Kush were badass. Why did I never learn this before?

[@sparkman1314able]

It tells you at the end. Racism Cant have millions of blk people in the west proud of blackness

[@shakalalalalkh1098]

Maybe you never *ehm* researched it? 🙁

[@MALIK-sx2qq]

Racism within anthropology separates Egypt from Nubia and Kush when in fact they originated from the same early civilization . Even in this video they are portrayed as ethnically different .

[@RojaJaneman]

Because the church doesn’t want its people to know that pagans weren’t worthless savage pests. Vast majority of useful and fascinating history of pagans all over the world is misinterpreted and mocked by design. Usually by academics. Or considered alien tech, because u know how could they possibly have figured anything out by themselves. This was church can prove that they were the saviors.

[@hasspass8751]

Those were my ancestors 🇸🇩💪

[@jedimantra1163]

Gotta give it up for Queen Amanirenas. Thanks so much for this, Ted-Ed!

[@salm9211]

The narration gives me a bedtime story vibe. So relaxing

[@FezCaliph]

Using it for that right now

[@midimusicforever]

African history is something that should be studied more.

[@megalol3625]

honestly what do they have of valuable? i dont see anything

[@midimusicforever]

@@megalol3625 That's because you don't know any of it.

[@megalol3625]

@@midimusicforever i asked whats valuable of it

[@midimusicforever]

@@megalol3625 All history is valuable, because it can be learned from.

[@megalol3625]

@@midimusicforever oh, ok whatever

[@riAN1337]

i'm extremely proud to have participated in two digging campaigns at the royal cemetary of meroe and the urban site of hamadab. geoff is right, when stating that this cultural context has been overlooked for too long. a shame that most of the sites where allready axcavated in the 1920s and very poorly documented...

[@tiredgardener]

History is littered with forgotten civilizations. I remember reading about the Kushite pyramids, how they have a steeper angle to that of the Egyptian pyramids and usually have a temple at the front. They do look wonderful.

[@riAN1337]

its called a funuary chapel, its not a temple.

[@ellerymaldegen4572]

I love this narrator. And the graphics **chief’s kiss**

[@lonestarr1490]

@Rafael Dejesus **Pharaoh's kiss**

[@justforrow]

Her voice is personally too aggressive and scratchy for me

[@veryberry39]

@@justforrow I feel like I haven't minded her in other videos, but this one really aggravated me. It was very monotone, I don't really know how to describe it, but it definitely was not my favorite narration.

[@justforrow]

@@veryberry39 Yeah I agree, I wonder where that old narrator guy went, I liked his voice better

[@Mlovesfashion62]

Her name is Safia Elhillo and she's actually a poet from Sudan (where Kush used to be)! I really love her work and I think she was a great choice for this video, look her up! she has some videos on youtube!

[@spacerock9301]

Not long ago I started to suspect that I have adhd or I just have a short period of concentration, but glad I found your channel. The designs and colors help me focus on what you say and I can finally learn something. I hope you keep doing this amazing videos

[@WhatIsSanity]

I find it's the same for myself. My OT tells me I simply respond better to multi-model learning.

[@CeeofGraves]

Egypt/Kemet was an African culture. I never understand why ppl try to separate Egypt from its African origin

[@empronyxx1982]

Isnt egypt in the north of africa?

[@antonioboss298]

@@empronyxx1982 North East Africa.

[@menamilad3199]

Stop it bro Egyptians were not the same people as Kushite’s/nubians get a hold of yourself

[@yourmother5810]

@@menamilad3199 nobody is saying that lol

[@silmsadie]

Ask an Egyptian and he'll tell you he's not African.

[@sicemdawgs47]

I'm pretty sure the kingdom of kush was in my college dorm room

[@RojaJaneman]

That ‘Kush’ comes from ‘Hindu Kush’ mountains in Afghanistan where the Cannabis has been cultivated for centuries. It translates to ‘Killing/slaughter of Hindus’ in the Pashto language.

[@AmmaSoelberg]

As someone who is currently studying Western Civilization I so excited to ask my teacher about this! So cool!

[@abthedragon4921]

God I hope we can decipher Kush's writing one day. There's so much I hope scholars can learn about Kush. It's one of my favorite African civilizations to study. Also brilliant art style in the video!

[@alexfoote8518]

I hope it isn’t European scholar because they are famous for misrepresentation and lies

[@alexfoote8518]

It’s not like it was hidden they purposefully skipped over this civilization

[@AMR_k400]

Axum is to blame for the loss of the kushite script and culture

[@alexfoote8518]

@@AMR_k400 what do you mean

[@AMR_k400]

@@alexfoote8518 they destroyed it and Christianized it

[@gilmoremccoy6930]

Thank goodness we can learn real history that was hidden from the masses! Thanks for sharing!

[@hohesC24]

Hidden? The kushites even appeared in cinema, e.g. The Ten Commandments (1956)...

[@victormortensen5559]

Successful people don't become that way overnight. What most people see at a glance-wealth, a great career, purpose-is the result of hard work and hustle over time.

[@russelljensen9454]

I totally agree with you

[@franksmart3826]

I have been trading offshore. I'm yet to make my first $5000, any recommendable expert to trade with?

[@bentleybraxton8531]

Rather get an expert to trade with giving you the required mentorship for a successful profit outcome. piece of advice

[@abigaillucas9741]

But I learnt the hard way, blowing over $3,000 account side trading with no mentor or expert

[@kadirkocaman3089]

I am new to trading and my presumptions is that I will be needing an expert as you would lose all your capital and you drop off the market

[@singularityraptor4022]

Reading the title I thought this was about the Kushan Empire, The Indian Step Kingdom. Never heard of this one. Interesting video.

[@mojojojo3682]

Even i thought it is about some indian kingdom

[@wholeness]

We’re here now with a bad case of amnesia; having parents as gods seems to be a threat to the modern society.

[@januszpawlacz1488]

Elaborate

[@malismarma_5040]

There is only one God

[@Viople]

@@malismarma_5040 yeah sUrE

[@winzyl9546]

We wuz kangz and godz

[@alessandro.calzavara]

@@malismarma_5040 Keanu Reeves

[@KaiInMotion]

This needs to be a gritty HBO drama. The meeting where the women negotiate could be a cool bottle episode with all the female characters. Someone call Hollywood, tell them we got some good Kush.

[@SinCityRaider81]

The origins of Kush Cannabis are from landrace plants mainly in Afghanistan, Northern Pakistan and North-Western India with the name coming from the Hindu Kush mountain range.

[@gregmiller9710]

..o wow....man....^^

[@AMR_k400]

Hindu kush means hindu killer I think

[@Endothermia]

@@AMR_k400 Just looked it up, and yeah, it's the most popular explanation behind the name. Thanks for the info. I'd no idea

[@RojaJaneman]

@@AMR_k400 yes. Slaughter of Hindus is the exact translation, from its Pashto origin. Millions of Hindus were killed there over the centuries, until only Islamic population survived and remaining Hindus were pushed into India overtime.

[@limaabdulla2970]

Bruh

[@shreyasgarg864]

channels like Ted-ed and their stories inspire, enlighten and brighten my day !!

[@ramonaccoca9217]

"They built temples to a new god", what happened to the old god, did he die?!

[@Freekymoho]

He became the main guy in egypt, and didnt have time for the kush anymore

[@ESCL2004]

@@Freekymoho :(

[@aminulhussain2277]

Both were invented lies.

[@nyanSynxPHOENIX]

@@aminulhussain2277 All gods are invented, lol. Just like all gods, they die and are replaced by new ones (usually by a foreign and violent force).

[@Wyatt19961212]

I didn’t even know he was sick!

[@williamtheartist1066]

It's interesting that they're talking about Egypt more, and that they talked about two different periods in the Egyptian history is just fascinating 🙏🏼😍

[@afrinaut3094]

I loved this video! But these are just my thoughts. 1. Why start the video, with Egypt’s invasion & influence into Kush? The cultural/religious exchange between Nubia & Egypt was not one way & predated Egypt’s occupation. While, Egypt influenced Kush, the Nubians historically influenced Egypt as well, influence flowed both ways. Why not talk about Nubia’s influence on Egyptian technology & religion/culture? Apedemak was not the only god unique to Kush (how is Apedemak “new”). 2. Nubian people’s homeland stretches from “upper Egypt” (Aswan) through Sudan (the borders making up South Sudan being found in 2011). 3. The Nubians are as old as the Egyptians, although the Nubians unified together later than the Egyptian unification. 4. “Some have argued”, is a borderline lie in & of itself. It’s been documented that Kush was (is) intentionally “overlooked”. Nubia was removed from history by not only American & European historians, but also by many Latino, Arab & modern-Egyptian scholars. While some scholars attempted to paint Kush as a Middle Eastern or Arab civilization, most resorted to segregating it from mainstream history or simply ignoring it. According to a WBUR article, George Andrew Reisner an American Egyptologist, born two years after the end of the US Civil War, (unsurprisingly) pushed the false idea that Africans could not create civilizations. According to Denise Doxey -“Reisner certainly got wrong this idea that the Nubians were never able to create any wonderful art or important monuments on their own. And he attributed everything that was really of high artistic value or really monumental as being Egyptian influence at work, which now is known to be incorrect.” The implications of this are extremely disturbing, but this crime is finally being seen for what it is, brings hope for the future & additional discoveries concerning Nubian heritage. The Nubians were a originally a diverse matrilineal African peoples, Arab mixture & patrilineal descent of family came much later in their history. B) The reason Nubia was & is, usually erased from history or mainstream history, was because it’s existence disproved ideas of African racial-inferiority. Nubia disproved the idea that Africans were not native to North Africa. It disproved that Egyptians were the only Nile-Valley-culture. It disproved that African peoples had no civilizations. It disproved that Africa had no civilizations outside of Egypt (a common narrative even today). It was one of many civilizations that disproved the idea that Blacks were lessor than Whites, Arabs & other groups (not that any of that required “proof”, human equality is always inherently obvious). 5. Why not talk about the institutional racism (including the destruction of ancient artifacts) & land displacement modern-Egypt has committed against Nubians to this day. #NubianLivesMatter The building of the Aswan dam & other “projects” have contributed to the drowning of Nubian land, destruction of archeological sites, & desertification. Activist such as Nubian rights & women’s rights activist Fatma Emam Sakory, have been pressuring Egypt to make Nubian culture/traditional religion, history & language apart of main stream Egyptian educational curriculum (as well as bringing awareness to other issues affecting Nubians of course).

[@fathesuliman222]

Trilon like

[@jzk2020]

The only true Egyptians are the darker skinned descendants of Kush African people in the interior of the country. The white middle eastern ones are not native to that country. They want to pretend like Arabs didn't invade north Africa around 614AD and never left. Those people are new to the country and region, they are not the people that built the pyramids.

[@Uhoh11111]

We learned about Kushites in History in Egypt, idk what you mean by saying kushtic kingdom is overlooked, although we don't learn alot in detail we learn about having relations with them and the invasions and wars and current halaib conflict

[@afrinaut3094]

@@Uhoh11111 modern-day Egypt is a country after all. So I’m not disagreeing with you. But like most other countries, the nation has disparities in class, wealth and opportunities/education. i’ve heard Nubians talk about how (where they live) within Egypt, the main stream education on Nubia can be lacking to say the least. It sounds like that’s different, from whatever part of Egypt you are from.

[@atenmohammed]

It's disingenous to paint it this way. Egypt was the mother culture that influenced all of it's neighbors in every direction. In fact it continues to be in it's modern state.

[@AaronShenghao]

Don’t feel bad, western schools don’t teach a dine about Asian histories either, making political matter from historical conflicts very hard to explain and easily skewed…

[@megalol3625]

and they should? no

[@nhandinh7404]

@@megalol3625 Asian history is very influential. The first civilization was Asian.

[@johans7775]

Dont feel bad, asian scholars don't teach a dime about western histories

[@megalol3625]

@@nhandinh7404 Not it fokin wasn't, ever heard of sumerians?

[@jk-gb4et]

@@megalol3625 Well Sumeria is in the continent of Asia but i (kind of) get what u mean

[@TH__TranPhuongQuynh]

It's another awesome video from Ted Ed! Thank you soo much 💖

[@MichaelClayton64]

There are more pyramids in Sudan than there are in Egypt.

[@darky5780]

The difference, is that Egypt has good looking ones

[@chrisez3188]

@@darky5780 another difference is that there are more pyramids in Sudan and they are basically the starter pack pyramids of the Kush Empire

[@christaylor7709]

@@darky5780 a greedy Italian explorer destroyed a lot of the Nubian pyramids with dynamite looking for gold. That's the main reason why, they look the way they do today.

[@Hi5Ripon]

Ancient Sudan and Egypt was so fascinating

[@MichaelClayton64]

@Zeyad Zestro Thats not false though, that's a well documented history, an Italian explorer named Giuseppe Ferlini destroyed 40 pyramids of Meroe in the 19th century by using dynamite to search for gold.

[@QuarterLifeCrises]

1:48 Piankhy - the original horse girl.

[@ead630]

I heard that whenever the Bible mentions "Ethiopia" it's actually talking about Kush. Is that true?

[@gabrielgarcia7554]

Yes that is true. The name comes from Greek, which literally means the land of the burned faced people.

[@wisewigga7129]

@@gabrielgarcia7554 no one is 100% certain that that's what it's called by greeks since it has a meaning in ancient languages spoken in ethiopia

[@MichaelClayton64]

Yes, in 2 Kings 19:9 & Isaiah 37:9 (KJV) it mentions Taharqa King of Ethiopia is coming to fight against King Sennacherib to defend his ally Kingdom of Judah, and we all know that Taharqa was the King of Kush located in what is today Sudan. And in the New Testament in Acts 8:27 it mentions the Ethiopian Eunuch was working for Kandake, Queen of the Ethiopians, whom we all know that Kandake is only referred to the Queens of Kush, the Ethiopian Eunuch was also the first gentile to convert to Christianity in 34 CE when he was baptized by Philip the evangelist in 1st century Judea, the Ethiopian Eunuch became Christian before Saul (Paul) was a Christian, during this time, Saul was on his way to Damascus to persecute more Christians and to find Peter the Apostle.

[@Stonerface]

I am surprised everyone on this thread is giving serious replies

[@Maxipadtriplesix]

Modern Day Ethiopia is the descendents of the Kingdom of Axum, which in this video, is said to have pillaged Kush. However, because the Bible was written so long ago, and has gone through many translations, they could in fact be referring to Kushites as Ethiopians. Modern Day Ethiopia claims to have a temple that holds the Ark of the Covenant to this day.

[@miadylan7467]

I have been watching some videos and I was thinking about investing in bitcoin or forex , but still don't know where to start from, any recommendation?

[@luisduro1196]

Same here ,It's strange how people talk about all the profits, they've been making through trading of bitcoin, while am here not making any profit at all. Please can Someone put me through on the right path.

[@dominicbailey4184]

Most time having knowledge or insight about a particular activity can as well be a pleasing exercise. I can boldly say that forex and crypto trading is one of the profitable money exchange services that elevates investors and their financial status.

[@tessacote5769]

That's true most people today have been having a lot of failures in forex and crypto sector because of poor orientation or bad experts

[@isaacgauthier1019]

You don't make money on forex or crypto by holding your coins rather you trade to make gains

[@isaacbarry5666]

I believe your view

[@UizHere]

Everything's great in this video topic/narration/editing...i could watch 1 hour of this easy... thanks

[@hudaalhadi9536]

I am from sudan and I love it ❤

[@toffee4013]

Ikr🥰🥰🥰😍😍😍😍🙌

[@alaae.5565]

samee, sudanese-american

[@Native-Kitty]

I have been learning about the Kushite empire over the last few years and I love it! The Kush were a strong empire who continue to be underestimated to this day. Thank you for this video.

[@ebybeehoney]

Always been interested in this kingdom and history. So little is known but I find it fascinating.

[@Jackieman]

This was a great video and I learned a lot that I hadn't known before! I am a bit confused though, isn't Egypt part of Africa? The ending notes about how it doesn't qualify as an African culture shocked me.

[@MelMelMelDrMEL]

Americans tend to think of Egypt as Alexander the great and Elizabeth Taylor Kush was more Sub-Saharan (dark skin) Egypt was thought to be more white people (European got there late... Near East is more likely what the Egyptians were)

[@Jackieman]

@@MelMelMelDrMEL Is that to say, Americans should, moving forward, not consider Egypt as part of Africa? As a Canadian I always considered it part of Africa, and one of the cultures to show the strength of African history.

[@scarletkingdom2359]

@@Jackieman this is why Canadians are awesome 🇨🇦😎

[@nyanSynxPHOENIX]

@@Jackieman I don't think we should consider Egypt as separate from Africa. But we do have to consciously be aware of the differences between most of Ancient Egypt and the Egyptian Empire. As a Mediterranean empire, it tends to be grouped with the Greeks and Romans, and actually share a lot of cultural similarities with those empires.

[@christaylor7709]

Yes! Egypt is in Africa and it was as an African civilization. Period.

[@SDubThe-illis]

Kush was the precursor to Kemet, not the other way around.

[@strictlyeducationalmagick]

Kush still rules today, and it's the same Kush. That's why the myth is gone.

[@ChristianMotivationMedia]

🍁In the multitude of my anxieties within me, Your comforts delight my soul.” Psalms 94:19

[@sentidocomunvg]

From what was said in the video, it gives the impression that Kush defeated Rome but in reality the kingdom was at serious risk, the Romans occupied half of its territory and seized its old capital. The Kushites in the end resisted well, Amanirenas called for an end to hostilities and peace was more convenient for both parties, there was trade and military support. The history of Kush is very interesting

[@ero6056]

Somehow this reminded me of thailand

[@astro9286]

The kushites attacked many Roman capitals and stolen the augustus head before signing treaties with them.

[@sentidocomunvg]

@@astro9286 Strabo is the only source of this war. Aswan and File are mentioned as the areas affected by the Nubian attack, but not Alexandria, the capital was much further north. The thing about the statue is rather symbolic, that gesture did not affect the empire at all. On the other hand, the conflict was a border war that was dealt with by the Roman prefect of Egypt. The Kushites risked a lot (the war was started by them) because they almost lost their kingdom; luckily for them their country was harsh and their warrior spirit too. And although a tribute was not imposed on them, they did have to pay war reparations. In addition, Kush became an ally of Rome. This is demonstrated by the rich African trade and the military support that Kush gave to Rome on several occasions.

[@lanceclarke7069]

@@sentidocomunvg Hey, Can you point me towards some books and easily digestible youtube videos for kids? Thanks in advance

[@w.s.b.3529]

@@astro9286 😆😂😆😆😆

[@acmulhern]

I hope to be able to visit the pyramids of Kush one day. African history is fascinating and unfortunately not spoken about very often. Lalibela in Ethiopia and Lamu in Kenya are also super interesting.

[@Black_CoreyNFin]

Egypt is considered western because it was on the Mediterranean and it had much more contact with the Romans, Greeks, and Phoenicians through trade, war, and conquest. Kush is also downplayed due to racism because racism touches every facet of society.

[@mrnord4096]

Kush is downplayed because it was for the most Part not relevant for the time they rarely did go to War and raiding and small scale scirmishes were more their thing also the egyptian side saw much more war and change and it was more relevant then

[@TheKh65]

@@mrnord4096 funny how people claim the history of certain ancient kingdom are irrelevant because they were not invaded and subjugated by western empires

[@mrnord4096]

@@TheKh65 but then it would be relevant because it was both invaded and subjugated by Western Empires. the swedes germans and Slavs, all three very Western, too play a very little role in that time or do yoj know more about the anicent german or slavic tribes then you do about kush? Think before you Speak

[@astro9286]

Egypt was clearly South African in origin, many Egyptians of the time had said their ancestry became from the beginning of the Nile. Egypt is simply a colony from kush. Egypt has many cultural similarities with kush than any other civilization.

[@TheKh65]

@@mrnord4096 I think you need to read before responding. What relevance has your most recent reply have to do with mine? Why are you talking about Swedes, what have got to do with Kush? How would any Slavish empire be considered western Europe?

[@undeadladybug7723]

I've heard the name Kush before, but I never thought too much about it, glad this video changed that!

[@gizzanubian2970]

The kush ppl moved downwards the Nile river and formed a new kingdom called LADO, it was taken of the world map by British in recent years. It’s actually another great history from the lado kingdom in equatorial east Africa

[@nanaesio.nyarkoh2858]

is the world coming to an end? Ted-Ed actually acknowledged African history after years of only telling Eurasian history.

[@moshehim1000]

The Europeans and Americans didn't promote the idea that Egypt was part of the origin of western civilization - whereas Kush was not, because it's African. No, they believed Egypt was the cradle of civilization - all civilization, everywhere. Since Kush conquered Egypt, it became part of that civilization, but that would come much later. Being the cradle of civilization meant that Egyptians settled and became farmers instead of hunters-gatherers, built permanent dwellings and started organizing in cohesive groups, eventually developing surplus of foods, specialization in work &etc. They figured that much based on the evidence in front of them, at the time. Much later, after a lot of research and archeological findings all over the world, they realized they were wrong, and civilization began earlier still, in other places. I don't know why some people try to push racism into everything, no matter how much they need to twist facts around to try and make it fit.

[@samvedkulkarni9840]

Congratulations for 15 million Subscriptions Ted Ed!

[@altinmares8363]

Ted Ed please post more videos about -Aristotle teaching Alexander the Great -Aristotle works (metaphysics,four causes,potentiality and actuality) -Thales of Miletus -Empedocles -Parmenides -Hippocrates -Heraclitus -Anaxagoras -Epicurus -Plato works -Al Kindi -Al Farabi -Islamic golden age (achievements,discoveries) -Ottoman Empire astronomy and ulema

[@mojojojo3682]

Islamic golden age 😂😂 you mean when they force everyone to follow Islam and if they Deny this killed them. That's great 👍

[@altinmares8363]

@@mojojojo3682 just curiosity

[@mojojojo3682]

@@altinmares8363 that's good that you are curious, but you could also learn about the Asian culture, spl like indian sub continent, hindu mythology, Sikhism

[@altinmares8363]

@@mojojojo3682 I want to learn everything,about all cultures

[@Midnight-Starfish]

I remember we learned about this kingdom in the 6th grade. Had to do a project near the end of the year about the different civilizations we learned about that year where we had to do a power point presentation or something with over 100 images. My partner and I were the unlucky winners to get the Kingdom of Kush. Where we found literally nothing but the eight page chapter of the kingdom that was in our history book and a lot of images of marijuana from Google. I'm still really salty about that to this day.

[@Kristian179]

please make a vid on Why you should read The Art of War by Sun Tzu

[@reinebautistamercado4286]

The "Why You Should Read" series is not really good. They just give a vague summary of the book, not tell you why you should read it.

[@erinahinata]

Thank you for this video on this astounding (yet sadly undertaught) civilization. Hopefully Meroetic will be able to be translated one day and we can lean more about this amazing Kingdom!

[@yourmomuglysi9505]

*LETS GOOOO 15M TED-Ed well deserved!*

[@MALIK-sx2qq]

What’s the greatest inaccuracy is seeing Kush and Egypt(Kemet) as originally separate . Egypt did not teach Kush they both originated from the same original civilization from the south .

[@alexfoote8518]

The writing system used by the kushites is what the Egyptian writing system is derived from

[@ThePawcios]

How can you be sure about it? If they said that it is still not deciphered?

[@megalol3625]

how do you know its not reversed, that kush took from egypt?

[@megalol3625]

@@ThePawcios bingo, its called confirmation bias

[@alexfoote8518]

@@megalol3625 kush kingdom is from an earlier civilization called (ta seti) or Land of the bow which is far before Egypt was unified and became a civilization hence it can’t be reversed

[@alexfoote8518]

@@megalol3625 ^^

[@kimmycassie]

I don't think I've heard about the Kush :(( and wow 1000+ years of ruling that's amazing why aren't we learning this

[@halimasafimohamed3587]

They ruled Egypt 150 years, the rest is make up.

[@sa5m225]

The Bible talk about them too. Moses wife was a Kushites, Miriam started making rumors about how can he married kushites. But God came in a form of cloud and gave Miriam leprosy how talking bad about Moses and Zipporah. I does get excited to hear kingdoms in the Bible who was once great. I always wonder how the kingdoms look like and why Israelites obsession over them

[@averywhite2231]

Never been more proud of being sudanese!

[@AbdulatifSalat]

They were actually Cushites. The cushitic people currently live in Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Djibouti

[@mohamedali-ge8vq]

@@AbdulatifSalat no they werent and never will you guys were Axum and Punt Kush was us aka Nubians

[@devrayne6770]

Egypt was a COLONY of Kush. This is backed up by the ancient Greek historians. Diodorus and Herodotus stated that the culture started in “Ethiopia”.

[@hohesC24]

So by that logic the USA is still a "colony" of England ... ?

[@annaki525]

@@hohesC24 yup

[@sagittariusbeauty]

@@hohesC24 Duhh

[@fathesuliman222]

كوش ممتده من جنوب مصر وحتى أثيوبيا وجيبوتى كسكان وسحنات متشابهه، لكن للتوضيح كوش كمملكه وملوك على أرض السودان الحالى وسكانها النيلين

[@FrshJurassicPrnceYA]

Kush was never lost, only ignored by mainstream historians in favor of its more famous cousin, Egypt!

[@dhwanidivate4822]

I love animation of Ted ed

[@realmofriddles]

Fun fact: Atem was the most famous pharaoh in history.

[@Vugen18]

who ?

[@alexfoote8518]

It’s criminal that they don’t even know the true history

[@lonestarr1490]

@@Vugen18 Some Yu-Gi-Oh! stuff, I think.

[@ricofico]

@@alexfoote8518 here we go again

[@megalol3625]

prove it

[@fasiuddiin]

Ted animations are just topnotch.

[@iyeiself-lordandmasterer4888]

It was the handshake for me!! ❤️🏆

[@tonimaitland6526]

Why are they always separating Egypt from Africa? Instead of saying Egypt and Africa it should be Egypt and the rest of Africa because Egypt is in Africa

[@bjmccann1]

Thank you. I've learned new things. Guess who's making a trip to the library tomorrow.

[@antonioboss298]

Nice, there's a ton of information about The Kingdom of Kush online as well.

[@I.I.I.A2]

Never thought Egypt as an Western civilization, but more as a Middle Eastern/ North African one.

[@holymolymacaroni7503]

great animation!

[@maksc3781]

What Netflix "Cleopatra" documentary should have been.

[@Abubaker42]

I am from Meroe, Sudan. The kingdom of Meroe broke down into three separate kingdoms which adopted Christianity. Nubatia, Almagarah and Alwa. I would like to see a video how the Egyptians statues lost there noses. The answer is ......

[@maragolihistory2118]

It's funny how our Kenyan Bantu's ancestors taught us that they came down from Sana, Alwa, kuruu and Soba and were fleeing from the red clothed alien's(Roman's) that had invaded their lands. Until internet, Europeans played down those claims and insisted that all Kenyans came from West Africa. However, much to my surprise, the very names our ancestors taught still exist in North East Africa and are unknown to the current Settlers!! Today, most DNA companies would rather call Kenyans "Eastern Bantu" yet we know very well, there is nothing like Eastern Bantu but people of the Nile River. One day, Europeans and Turks will be conquered and the whole truth will finally come out.

[@Mimi-mq2wj]

@@maragolihistory2118 all of africa claim they have some relation to egypt and north africa. Useless claim really

[@Vugen18]

The animation is so good! And the story is enhanced that way.

[@cherrybaylon9737]

Thanks! I love this ancient African kingdom! *_*

[@thelastminutetrade]

Really amazing. Who else wants to be there?

[@abdelrahmanaminel-khsosy2162]

I am liking what TED Ed is doing to rediscover the history of a misunderstood part of the world.

[@rosalindaolvera9283]

Me encantó el vídeo, de lo más claro, entretenido y colorido 👍

[@jenwys3191]

"American and European scholars promoted the idea that Egypt was part of the origin of Western civilization, while Kush, as an African culture, was excluded." Egypt is in Africa too, though... What's the point of creating tension when it's not necessary?

[@LB-dm5yn]

Let’s just say this Kingdom is lost in my lungs 😎

[@rennite9266]

Pipe dreams 🤣

[@RyeKoo]

never been this early

[@DivyesSakhuja]

When Your Nickname is Kush and u clicked it to see if its my name: Thats what I'm Feeling Right Now

[@dawithagos3803]

I'm from Ethiopia i learned in high school that Kush was part of Ethiopia territory the language also resembles the current culture that strives tell this day in the northeastern part........do u agree with this?

[@darkzi1431]

Of course no one agrees with this Kush predates Axum and proof of that is the name Ethiopia which is adopted from kush

[@darkzi1431]

@Haifa Tariq You’re history is wrong. Ethiopias name was adopted in the 19th century and was not taken after the fall of Nubia. Ezna found an already fallen kush when he came. As per the ezna stones he remarks that the kushites were having a civil war. Also kush split between 3 kingdoms which all outlasted Axum.

[@amy7740]

Can you guys please make a video about The Manden Charter? It's really interesting and fascinating but sadly there aren't many sites and fonts online about it

[@africandawn3162]

Yep...Mali Empire!

[@captinmayhem4604]

Why do any of these videos have dislikes they are so fun to watch. I already turned on notifications and get to see them right as they come out

[@BWS891]

Not only did their army fend off Rome, but their military leader deliberately cut of the head of the emperors statue and buried it under the temple threshold to be walked on forever?! That's gotta be one of the ancient worlds biggest acts of "this is exactly what I think of you"

[@sahillohare6712]

I love the animation in this video..

[@GabrielTrentinBarbosa]

Loved it! Since the idea to the video itself.