African TimeToast

The New Kingdom begins in Egypt

1080 BCE

The New Kingdom begins in Egypt, bringing an end to the Second Intermediate Period and ushering in one of the nation’s most powerful pre-modern phases. With much political influence on the Mediterranean & Libya, the nation also gains control of Palestine and Nubia.

The Nok Culture

1000 BCE

The Nok Culture, a highly centralised community of people, is established in central Nigeria. By 500 BC, iron-smelting had become common to the Nok and they produced art in the form of lifelike animal and human figures. The Nok are considered to have disappeared by 200 BC but their influence is evident in the Yoruba Kingdom and Benin.

The expansion of the Bantu people

1000 BCE

The expansion of the Bantu people begins. Bantu languages originated in West Africa and began to spread to other parts of Africa; particularly Central, Southeast & Southern Africa. Experts believe that there are approximately 250 to 525 Bantu languages in existence.

The city of Carthage

814 BCE

The city of Carthage is established by Phoenicians from Tyre. The region became an influential power and trading entity in the Mediterranean.

The Kingdom of Kush

760 BCE

The Nubian Empire begins. The Kingdom of Kush, possibly arising out of the Kingdom of Kerma (which rebelled for centuries after being absorbed into the Egyptian Empire), invaded Egypt and took over Thebes. The Kushites were later expelled from Nubia by the Assyrian forces. The region later became a centre for cotton-cloth and iron manufacture.

The Nubian Empire begins

730 BCE

The Nubian Empire begins. The Kingdom of Kush, possibly arising out of the Kingdom of Kerma, which had rebelled for centuries after being absorbed into the Egyptian Empire, invaded Egypt & took over Thebes. The Kushites were later expelled from Nubia by Assyrian forces. The region later became a centre for cotton-cloth and iron manufacture.

treaty between Carthage and Rome

509 BCE

The first known treaty between Carthage and Rome is written. It outlines the limitations to their commercial activities and influence over neighbouring regions. The treaty is the earliest record indicating that Sardinia and Sicily were under Carthaginian control.

Alexander the Great

332 BCE

Alexander the Great conquers Egypt. He occupies Egypt and his general, Ptolemy, becomes king and finds a dynasty. During this dynasty, Greek culture was spread throughout Egypt. The Great Lighthouse of Alexandria, in the city of Alexandria, became one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.

the alphabetic script

300 BCE

The Meroitic alphabet replaces Egyptian script in the influential region of Meroe. Made up of 23 characters, the alphabetic script was originally derived from the Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Egyptians

525

The Persians invade Egypt under Cambyses II. He defeats the Egyptians in battle at Pelsium in the Nile Delta.