Meroë Facts for Kids

Meroë is a site in Sudan. There are many pyramids there. Most of them are in ruins. The city tells of the glory of past kings, which are buried in the pyramids.

Meroë (Meroitic: Medewi or Bedewi) is the name of an ancient city. What remains of the city is on the east bank of the Nile about 6 km north-east of the Kabushiya station near Shendi, Sudan. It lies about 200 km north-east of Khartoum. There are a few villages nearby. They are called Bagrawiyah.

Meroë was the capital of the Kingdom of Kush for several centuries. The Kushitic Kingdom of Meroë gave its name to the "Island of Meroë", which was the modern region of Butana, a region bounded by the Nile (from the Atbarah River to Khartoum), the Atbarah, Ethiopia, and the Blue Nile. The city of Meroë was on the edge of Butana and there were two other Meroitic cities in Butana, Musawwarat es-Sufra and Naqa. [1]

The site of the city of Meroë is marked by over two hundred pyramids in three groups. Of many of these pyramids, there are only ruins left.

Images for kids

Near East in 200 BC, showing the Kingdom of Meroe and its neighbours.
The "Archer King", an unknown king of Meroe, 3rd century BC. National Museum of Sudan.
Relief of Kandake Amanitore, circa 50 AD
Lamp with handle in the shape of a horse, from the pyramid of Queen Amanikhatashan in Meroë (c.62-c.85 AD). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston
Necklace from Meroë. 50–320 AD. Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Meroitic script
Stamp or thumb ring in the form of three cartouches (enclosing dot pattern). Each topped with two plumes and sun disc. Faience. From Meroe. Meroitic period. Petrie Museum of Egyptian Archaeology
Plan of the North pyramid field at Meroë.
A modern satellite view of the region of Meroe (October 2020)
Karkamani's pyramid (513-503 BC), Nuri
Jewelry found on the mummy of Nubian King Amaninatakilebte (538-519 BC). Museum of Fine Arts, Boston.
Stela of king Siaspiqa (487–468 BC).
Portrait of King Nastasen (330-310 BC)
Pyramids of Meroë - Northern Cemetery
Queen Shanakdakhete (170-150 BC)
Necklace made of 54 composite human head and ram's head gold pendants with a small carnelian bead between each. Meroitic Period, 270-50 BC
Golden Bracelet found in the tomb of a member of the Royal Family in Gebel Barkal. 250-100 BC
King Natakamani (early 1st century AD)
Column and elephant - part of temple complex in Musawwarat es-Sufra
Roman Kiosk and Apedemak Temple in Naqa
Colonnade of rams in front of Amun-Ra temple in Naqa

Meroë facts for kids

Images for kids

See also