Changes

The Nubians have been the Egyptians’ southern neighbors since the dawn of civilization over 5,000 years ago. During that time, the Egyptians were usually the dominant people, but the Nubians were able to impact pharaonic civilization in a number of ways. When the Egyptians were strong, especially during the New Kingdom, Nubia was a source of great wealth for the Egyptians. The Egyptians established forts and colonies that exploited the rich mineral resources of Nubia, which they then traded on the international market with other Near Eastern kingdoms. Later, when the central government in Egypt collapsed, the Nubians conquered Egypt and brought back a certain amount of stability. The Nubians then involved themselves in the affairs of the Near East, but that ultimately proved detrimental to Egypt. Finally, the Nubians brought back older artistic styles and conventions that proved to give gave new impetus to a culture that seemed exhausted of ideas.