Ancient African Civilizations : Kush And Axum - 97 edition

Burstein, Stanley (Ed.) : California State University-Los Angeles

Stanley Burstein, California State University, Los Angeles, is author of Graeco-Africa: Studies in the History of Greek Relations with Egypt and Nubia and other books.

''Stanley Burstein has researched, compiled, and translated with commentary the most significant Greek and Roman sources concerning Black Africa. The result is a fascinating book about the people of the southern part of the Nile Valley, the gold mines of Nubia, the Hellenistic city of Meroë, capital of the Ethiopian Empire of Kush with its own highly developed culture (300 bc to 300 ad). This book is a masterpiece of scholarship and historical research.''

--Midwest Book Review

''The ancient kingdoms of Kush and Axum were reflections of ancient Egypt to the north, but with the collapse of Egypt, Kush flourished and then gave way to Axum. . . . Burstein opens the volume with a brief survey of the two kingdoms; with introductions and important notes he then presents the ancient literary and epigraphical testimony for this region. . . . A brief bibliography and photographs aid this significant volume.''

--Choice

'' . . . an important contribution to Black Africa.''

--Choice

''Kush (Nubia) and Axum have received less attention from ancient historians than the other African civilizations with whom the Greeks and Romans came into contact (and conflict). This source book of ancient texts in English translation will help students become better aware of how the so-called Aethiopians who lived in Northeast Africa differed from their better-known neighbors the Egyptians. The twenty-six texts collected here are all readily accessible to students with a basic knowledge of ancient Egyptian, Greek, or Roman civilization. . . . Each text is presented with a brief introduction setting it into its historical context, and additional essential information is provided in endnotes, where the names of the authors and their dates are given . . . . There is a useful select bibliography.''

--Classical World 92.4 (1999)

Markus Wiener Publishers Web Site, January, 2001

Introduction

I. Kush and its Neighbors

The Exploration of Nubia and the Red Sea
A Greek Account of the Geography of Nubia
The Gold Mines of Lower Nubia
A Description of Meroë
The History and Customs of the People of Kush
The Trogodytes: Nomads of the Nubian Desert
The Ostrich Eaters

II. Kush and Rome

First Contact between Rome and Kush: The Triumphal Inscription of Cornelius Gallus
Peace between Rome and Kush ( b.c.e.)
Kush in the First Century c.e.: Nero's Aithiopian Expedition
A Roman Soldier and his God in Nubia: The Mandulis Hymn of Paccius Maximus
Isis of Philae: Mistress of Nubia: The Graffito of Pasan, son of Paese (April , c.e.)
The Roman Withdrawal from Nubia ( c.e.)

III. The Rrise of Axum and the Decline of Kush

Red Sea Trade and the Emergence of the Kingdom of Axum
The Empire of Axum
Ezana and the Bega
Protection of Axumite Trade
The Axumite Gold Trade
The Introduction of Christianity to Axum
The Destruction of Meroë (ca. c.e.)

IV.The End of Antiquity

The Struggle of Power in Lower Nubia: The Silko Inscription
Treaty between the Blemmyes, Nobatai, and Rome (ca. c.e.)
The Christianization of Nubia
Contract for the Sale of a Nubian Slave Girl (Sixth Century c.e.)
Axum in the Sixth Century c.e.
Meeting with a King of Axum
Letter from the Governor of Egypt to the King of the United Kingdom of Makouria and Nobatia ( c.e.)

Notes
Select Bibliography