Military of ancient Nubia

Nubia is a geographic and cultural region along the Nile River, stretching as far north as Aswan in southern Egypt upriver to the southern limit around the confluence of the Blue and White branches of the Nile River, near modern day Khartoum.[1] Nubia was the seat of several civilizations of ancient Africa, including the Kerma culture, the Kingdom of Kush, Nobatia, Makuria and Alodia.

Nubia had a strong relationship with archery throughout antiquity. Egyptians referred to Nubia as Ta-Seti; meaning “land of the bow”. Evidence of archery in Ancient Nubia traces back to Neolithic rock art present throughout the region and high distributions or bow and arrows accompanying male burials of all ages.[2]

King Senkamanisken slaying enemies at Jebel Barkal.[3]
Meroitic prince smiting his enemies (early first century AD)

The Kerma culture was the first group to consolidate rule over parts of the Lower Nubia. The bow and arrow was a primary feature in Kerman militaries, with evidence of an elite warrior class possessing bronze weaponry modeled after Egyptian examples.[4] The Kingdom of Kush, which succeeded Kerma, enhanced military organization and logistics in Nubia, emerging as a formidable threat to Egypt.[5] In the 8th century BC, Kush conquered Egypt, establishing the 25th Dynasty.[6] Iron technology was introduced to Kush by the Assyrians after their conquest of Egypt. This allowed the manufacture of iron weapons such as swords, spears and armor in Nubia.

The role of the Cavalry was extensive during the Meroitic period due to innovation in chariotry, the use of war elephants and cavalry tactics. . Kush was succeeded by a number of Christian kingdoms after its collapse in the 4th century AD. The organization of the armies and navies of these kingdoms was largely based on that of their predecessor. Siege warfare was vastly developed with the creation of siege engines by the 8th century BC

  1. ^ Adams, William Yewdale. “Nubia, Corridor to Africa.” Princeton, N. J: Princeton University Press, 1977.
  2. ^ Honegger, Matthieu. “The Archers of Kerma: Warrior Image and Birth of a State.” Dotawo, 2023. doi:10.5070/D68061375.
  3. ^ "Jebel Barkal guide" (PDF): 97–98. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  4. ^ Hafsaas-Tsakos, Henriette. “Edges of Bronze and Expressions of Masculinity: The Emergence of a Warrior Class at Kerma in Sudan.” Antiquity. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press, 2013. doi:10.1017/S0003598X00048638.
  5. ^ Bestock, Laurel. “Egyptian Fortresses and the Colonization of Lower Nubia in the Middle Kingdom.” Oxford University Press, 2021. doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780190496272.013.15.
  6. ^ Török, László (1997). The kingdom of Kush: handbook of the Napatan-Meroitic civilization. Handbuch der Orientalistik. Erste Abteilung, Nahe und der Mittlere Osten, Handbook of Oriental studies. The Near and Middle East. Leiden ; New York: Brill. ISBN 978-90-04-10448-8.