Kush

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Ancient Egypt and Kush
Economics of History Activity
Lesson 4 The Kingdom of Kush
Economics of History Activity
Background Information
In economics, trade is the exchange of one thing for something of similar
value. Today, we buy goods, such as food or clothing, with money. People
in ancient Egypt and Kush, however, exchanged goods they had for those
they needed. For example, the Egyptians needed gold, pottery, and soldiers
from the Kushites. They traded wheat, corn, rice, and other goods to get
them
Egypt and Kush also exchanged ideas. This exchange was not a simple
trade, however. Unlike goods in economic trade, ideas don’t come with
price tags. Ideas get shared, not sold, and they can spread quickly. For
many centuries, Egypt ruled Kush. Many Kushites served as soldiers in
Egypt’s armies. As a result, elements of Egyptian culture made their way
into Kushites’ daily lives. For example, Kushites had their own language,
but they first recorded it using Egyptian hieroglyphics. They built tombs
and cities like those in Egypt. Kushites also worshiped Egyptian gods. Yet
over centuries the Kushites maintained their own culture despite Egypt’s
strong influence.
When the Assyrians invaded Kush-ruled Egypt, another important exchange
of ideas took place. The Assyrians had iron tools and weapons that were
stronger than the Kushites’ bronze ones. During Assyrian rule, Kushites
learned to make and use iron. With better tools, the farmers produced
more crops. With stronger weapons, the Kushites’ military power increased.
Once again, the Kushites borrowed ideas that helped their culture endure.
Egypt Kush
Assyria
religion, hieroglyphics,
tombs, cities, grains
gold, soldiers,
pottery, soldiers
iron weapons
and tools
netw rks

2. CopyrightbyTheMcGraw-HillCompanies.
NAME DATE CLASS
Ancient Egypt and Kush
Economics of History Activity Cont.
Directions: Answer the following questions.
1. Explaining Why did the Egyptians and the Kushites
trade goods?
2. Describing Tell how Egyptian culture affected Kush life.
Critical Thinking
3. Analyzing How is the exchange of ideas different from the
exchange of goods? Why?
4. Identifying Cause and Effect How did learning to make
iron tools and weapons affect the Kushites?
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