The Mighty Queens of Kush
A long, long time ago, in the land of Kush (which includes present day Sudan, Ethiopia and even some bits of Egypt) there was an impressive series of Nubian/Meroite women rulers. These women were brave, brilliant and influential.
The dates and names seem to blend into a sometimes uncertain mixture, but it appears that for around 500 years there were 8 of these Rulers. They seemed to set a standard of excellence and stability.
Who were these women?
They were called the Kandake (meaning Queen / Queen mother / Great Woman / sister)
• Shanakdakhete (c. 177–155 BC) Earliest known ruling queen.
• Amanirenas (c. 40–10 BC) Signed a peace treaty with the emperor Augustus (she had lost an eye in battle, and was apparently a fearsome woman)
• Amanishakheto (c. 10 BC–1 AD)
• Amanitore (c. 1–20 AD) possibly the queen mentioned in Acts 8:27
• Amantitere (c. 20–49 AD)
• Amanikhatashan (c. 62–85 AD)
• Maleqorobar (c. 266–283 AD)
• Lahideamani (306–314 AD)
However, of them all, the most interesting Kandake was:
Kandake Amanishakheto:
She is known as the ‘Warrior queen of Nubia’. There seems to be more information about her for many reasons
* A leader:
It seems that she was not married to a King, nor mother to a future King, but that she was in fact a fully independent ruler in her own right, with her husband being her consort! Her daughter followed her as the next Kandake.
* A builder:
She had many pyramids built, in fact one of the largest ever built, was her own in Meroe, standing at 100 feet high. She also had a very grand temple in Wad ban Naqa: 3 700 sq.m
* Pictures:
Portrayals of her are found on several walls of tombs/temples. She is depicted as a large, powerful woman, usually holding a bow and arrows, and sometimes alongside conquered slaves. She is usually dressed in glorious robes and covered in jewellery and is shown as a strong woman towering above her small, defenceless enemies.
* Her jewellery:
In 1834 an Italian by the name of GUISEPPE FERLINI, a so-called ‘explorer’, came to seek fame, fortune and gold. His team dismantled Amanishakheto’s tomb in Meroe and in the process destroyed most of this glorious pyramid. They discovered a dazzling hoard of jewellery:
10 bracelets
9 shield rings
67 signet rings
2 arm bands
Ferlini then took all this incredible treasure and sold the antiquities in Europe. Today you can find many of these items in museums in Germany (Munich and Berlin).
Women In Charge!
Even if the names have become blended, stories become embellished, and dates are confusing, what is clear is that there were several formidable Women Leaders in Kush/Nubia/Meroe/Ethiopia. They are seldom mentioned, but leave behind a hint of a grand legacy of strength and power, beauty and wealth. Formidable women, in Africa, in ancient times.