Kingdom of Kush

During the 8th century BCE, Kushite kings from the city of Napata conquered Egypt, establishing the 25th Dynasty. These rulers, such as King Piye, were Nubian pharaohs who sought to restore traditional Egyptian religious practices and monumental architecture.

The kingdom initially centered around the city of Napata near the fourth cataract of the Nile. Later, around 590 BCE, the capital was moved further south to Meroë, which eventually became famous for its extensive ironworking and distinct steep pyramids.

The Kingdom of Kush built over 200 steep-sided pyramids at sites like Meroë, El-Kurru, and Nuri, which are distinctly different from the smoother Egyptian pyramids. These structures served as royal tombs for the Kushite kings and queens long after the Egyptians had stopped building them.

The kingdom declined largely due to the rise of the Kingdom of Aksum (modern-day Ethiopia) to the south and internal pressures. In the mid-4th century CE, King Ezana of Aksum launched a military campaign that destroyed the capital city of Meroë, effectively ending the Kushite empire.