History of the Nubian Empire of Meroe

The region south of Egypt known as the Land of Punt (also called Kush and Nubia) has played an important role in Egyptian and African history. The people of this region waged war with Egypt and developed trade with the world, providing exotic goods. From the city of Meroe, the Nubian people established a civilization in need of notice from modern historians.

Meroe (pronounced Mare-way) was a kingdom and a rival to Egypt from 200-300 AD. Egypt had conquered and dominated most of Nubia from 1900 to 1500BC and during these centuries the two cultures intermixed. Nubian religion, language and writing changed to reflect Egyptian culture. Nubian temples and structures began to resemble those of her northern neighbor, though the Nubians "internalized," adding their own unique touch. The land that would become Meroe traded gold, ivory, ebony, dwarfs, animal skins and more. The Land of Punt was rich in these resources that were highly valued by Egyptian society.

Warfare Between Egypt and Nubia

For centuries Egypt had ruled the Nubian region, introducing their culture and mixing among the Nubians. For a brief time between 750 and 663 BC, the Nubians returned the favor, conquering all of Egypt. Their rule came to end as a result of a disastrous war with the Assyrians from the Middle East and the Nubians were forced to withdraw to the city of Napata. From here they ruled Kush and expanded south and east.

Sometime in 591 BC an Egyptian army once again invaded and sacked Napata, forcing the Nubians to relocate to the city of Meroe. The reason for selecting Meroe was three-fold. First, Meroe was surrounded on three sides by rivers, offering natural defenses against invaders. Second, Meroe benefited from fertile soil provided by the river bend and could utilize extensive agriculture. Third, the invading Egyptians had cut off northern trade, so Meroe's close proximity to the Red Sea trade offered an alternative. Moving to Meroe gave access to this trade and the Empire of Meroe came to represent the entire Nubian region and became one of the strongest kingdoms in Africa.

The Decline of the Empire of Meroe

Meroe's economic advantage began to disappear with the arrival of the Axumites. Aksum and the port city of Adulis were closer to the Red Sea and were able to cut off this trade from the inner kingdom. Aksum grew powerful quickly and battled Meroe for dominance of the Red Sea trade. Around 340 AD the Axumites finally destroyed the Empire of Meroe and filled the void with an empire of their own.

The impact of Meroe on history is a reminder that Africa has a rich heritage often overlooked by Western schools and that Egyptian power did not go unchallenged. Among the other important African civilizations are those of the Axumites, Ghana, Benin, the Oyo, the Ife and the Swahili city-states of south eastern Africa.

Further Reading:

Digital Egypt: Meriotic Era

Meroitic Empire