Awawa 1850 BC.
He is the oldest Kushite king known to us by name. Archaeologists found his name written in ink on fragments of a smashed pottery statue of a bound captive. The Egyptians made the statue in about 1850 BC. They smashed it on purpose. The Egyptians believed that if they made an embodiment of the enemy, wrote his name on it, and then smashed it, this would harm or kill him through magic. Although we know nothing about Awawa, he was called the "ruler of Kush." He must undoubtedly have been one of the powerful Kushite kings who ruled in Kerma when the Egyptians built their castles in Lower Nubia. Owa's soldiers had probably launched an attack on the Egyptians, and so they wished to harm him - by magic, since they were powerless to actually harm him. Early burial from Kerma (View of one of the early royal tombs at Kerma, dated to the Awawa period, ca. 2000-1700 BC) For more informationEarly burial of Kerma
Alara 790-760 BC.
He is the first known king of the Napata Kingdom. Many years after his death, the kings prayed to the god Amun to grant them a long life and prosperous rule like the one he granted to Ara. We know from the inscriptions that he became king after a bitter struggle with his rivals, and that he devoted himself to the worship of Amun. Archaeologists believe that the two inscriptions that were uncovered in the Temple of Amun in Kawa, located on the eastern bank of the city of Dongola Al-Aridi, belong to Alara. The two inscriptions indicate that he ruled for at least 23 years. Archaeologists believe that he controlled the entirety of Upper Nubia and made the city of Napata (Gebel Barkal) the religious capital of his kingdom. Details of the obelisk found in a niche showing a king believed to be Alara. / For more informationDetails of the obelisk found in a niche show a king believed to be Alara
Kashta 760-747 BC.
Kashta became king after Alara and was mostly his brother. He succeeded in extending the borders of Kush north to Aswan, the southern border of Egypt. Archaeologists found a monument near Aswan that still preserves his image. In this stone, Kashta calls himself “King of Upper and Lower Egypt,” a title used by the Pharaohs of Egypt. Although it may not be possible for Kashta to reach Egyptian lands and impose actual control over them, he is the father of Piya (Ba'ankhi), who will be destined to invade and control Egypt a few years after his father's death. Kashta was also the father of Amani Redis, the Kushite princess who became the wife of the god Amun in Thebes and became known as the “wife of the god.” See the Kashta Stele (part of the Kashta Stele that was found on Elephantine Island, near Aswan. It contains the title he gave himself "King of Upper and Lower Egypt: Sa Nesut n Bet".) for more informationBiaSee Kashta Obelisk
Amani Redis 740 BC.
Amani Redis was a Kushite princess and daughter of King Kashta. In about 740 BC, she arrived in Egypt with her brother Piia (Baankhi) and became a “wife” of the god Amun of Thebes in Egypt. There she stopped using her Kushite name (which is unknown) and took for herself the Egyptian name “Amani Redis” (which means: whatever Amun creates, she gives). Although she could not marry a living, non-immortal man, she became the “divine wife” over a period of forty years. In terms of rank, she was in the position of a living queen and goddess. She was responsible for Upper Egypt on behalf of her brothers Piya and Shebaka and her two nephews Shebataka and Taharqa. Her niece, Pia “Shepinoth,” became the next wife of the god Amun after her. Photo by Amani RedisBiaShabakaShabataka
Shabaka “Shabaku” 716-702 BC.
Shabaka was Piya's brother. He became king of Kush and Egypt after the death of Piya. His coronation ceremonies probably took place in Napata. When the princes of northern Egypt revolted, he reconquered Egypt and made Memphis the capital of the country. Because Shebaka was the first Kushite king to make Egypt his headquarters, subsequent generations believed that he was the founder of the Egyptian Twenty-Fifth Dynasty. Upon his death, his body was likely embalmed in Egypt, and transported thousands of miles south to find his final resting place in his small pyramid in the family cemetery near Nabta in Al-Kurru alongside his ancestors. Statue of Ras Shabaka (granite) / For more informationBiaStatue of Shabaka's head
Sheptaka “Shebitku” 702-690 BC. Shabataka
Shebataka (whose name is sometimes found in the Shebetku form) was the son of either Piya or Shebaka, and archaeologists are still uncertain about the matter. As soon as he ascended the throne and became king, he found himself facing a crisis represented by the Assyrian invasion coming from northern Iraq to the lands along the Mediterranean coast. Shebataka felt that his land was threatened, so he joined his forces with the kings of Israel and the surrounding regions in order to try to stop the Assyrian advance. Rather, he sent a request for more troops for his army from the homeland, that is, from Kush, and appointed Taharqa (his nephew) as commander of the army. Although the Shabataka army was unable to defeat the Assyrians, the invaders were forced to retreat when their soldiers fell ill with a disease that led to the death of many of them. This saved Egypt. Shabataka died probably in Egypt. He was buried in the family cemetery with his ancestors in Al-Kurru near Napata. Shabataka "Head" Statue / For more informationBiaShabaka"Head" statue of Shabataka
Taharqa 690-664 BC.
Taharqa was one of Baya's sons and was often a brother to Shebataka. Shebataka asked Taharqa to take command of the army while he was still twenty years old. Taharqa was a great warrior and fought many battles against the Assyrians. When Shebataka died, Taharqa became king and was crowned in Egypt. Although Taharqa had not seen his mother since he was young, he stressed the necessity of her attending his coronation ceremony. Archaeologists obtain a lot of information from stone inscriptions found in both Sudan and Egypt. His enemies, the Assyrians, also wrote about him, and he was mentioned twice in the Holy Bible, which he called Tarhaqa (which is a mispronunciation that has become common and must be corrected, as we noted on the main page). BiaShabataka
In about 684 BC. The level of the Nile rose during its annual flood in an unprecedented way. This brought an exceptional harvest that reflected positively on the wealth of the Kingdom. Taharqa ordered the construction of many projects, and again rebuilt many temples. The first years of his rule witnessed tremendous prosperity, but the closing years witnessed disasters. In about 671 BC. The Assyrians began launching attacks on Egypt repeatedly every year. At first, Taharqa's forces achieved victory in the battles, but the Assyrians were soon able to control the attacks of the Kushite-Egyptian forces. The Assyrians occupied Memphis and their forces captured Taharqa's wife and son. Taharqa retreated to Napata, where he died in 664 BC. He was buried in a new cemetery he created in Nuri. His pyramid reached a height of 150 feet and was the largest of the pyramids built in Kush. Fragment of a funerary statue / Funerary statues of Taharqa / Bronze statue of Taharqa / For more informationPart of a funerary statue
Tanut Amani 664-653 BC.
(Also called Tanot Amen) was one of the sons of Shebaka. He became king after the death of his uncle Taharqa. After Assyria retreated from Egypt, he invaded Egypt again, as his father and grandfather Piya had done before. The description of the invasion was recorded in an obelisk (i.e. a stone tablet on which an inscription was engraved) found in Gebel Barkal, now located in the Egyptian Museum in Cairo. In that stele, Tanut Amani describes his coronation ceremony at Gebel Barkal. He also writes about a dream he had. In that dream, Tanot Amani says that he saw two snakes. He was convinced that the two snakes represented the royal crown of Kush and Egypt. I believe that his dream indicates that he will rule both Kush and Egypt. He succeeded in achieving his dream, even if it was for a short period, not exceeding two years. ShabakaBia
When the Assyrian king Ashurbanipal learned that the Kushites had regained control of Egypt, he became mad and immediately sent a massive army to take revenge. Tanot Amani retreated to Kush. The Assyrians attacked the city of Thebes in southern Egypt, killing many people and plundering its holy places. After that, the Kushite kings did not set foot in Egypt. Tanut Amani continued as king of Kush until his death, where he was buried in the family cemetery in Al-Kurru. Archaeologists found wonderful burial chambers in his tomb. The only statue of this king was found in Gebel Barkal and is currently located in the Toledo Museum of Fine Arts, but unfortunately without a head. Photo by Tanout Amani / For more informationPhoto of Tanot Amani
Atlanersa 653-640 BC.
Atlanersa is often one of Taharqa's sons. Little is known about his reign. It is highly likely that Atlanersa is the same king of Kush that the Greek historian Herodotus wrote about. Herodotus spoke of a king who incited the Egyptian soldiers of the Libyan garrison on the island of Elephantine and helped them abandon the king of Egypt and flee south to Kush. The Kushite king promised the soldiers that if they succeeded in eliminating his enemies in the southern outskirts of his kingdom, they would have the right to seize their land and settle there. Thus, the Libyan soldiers fled from Egypt and went to work for the king of Kush, destroyed his enemies, seized their land, and built cities for themselves in those lands. Six centuries later, Roman writers mentioned that the descendants of those soldiers still lived in those cities in their time, and that they had their own rulers subordinate to the king (or queen) of Meroe.
Atlanersa is known for his magnificent colossal statue carved from granite found at Gebel Barkal, which is currently in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. It is possible that he died suddenly, as both his temple in Barkal and his burial place in Nuri remained incomplete at the time of his death. Statue of Atlanersa
Senkamenskine 640 - 620 BC. Sinkamanskin
Like Atlanersa, Senkamenskin is known only from its ruins but not from historical inscriptions. He completed the construction of a small temple at Gebel Barkal that Atlanersa had begun to build. Near the temple gate, Senkamenskin placed a huge statue, about 4 meters high, which is currently located in the Sudan National Museum of Antiquities in Khartoum. Excavators in Gebel Barkal found three smaller statues next to the Pope Hall representing the king. His chief wife, Queen Nassala, outlived him. She is also the mother of his two sons who were destined to become kings.. Anlamani and Aspalta/ Abuhol Senkamenskin Abohol Senkamenskin
Anlamani 620 - 600 BC.
Anlamani was Senkamenskin's brother. Archaeologists identified Anlamani from his inscribed obelisk that was uncovered in a niche (located on the eastern bank of the Nile facing Dongola Arid). The obelisk describes his coronation ceremony. We also talked about his decision to make four of his sisters “singles players” in the four national temples of Amun (the jingle is a rattling musical instrument used in Kush religious rituals). People believed that the sound of clay put the gods in a good psychological state. Women from the royal family were chosen to play these instruments in temples. The Anlamani inscription also describes his military campaigns against the desert tribes he calls Bulahayu. He captured men and women and made them work as servants in the temples. Excavators found two statues of this king in Gebel Barkal. One of the two statues is life-sized and is currently located in the National Museum of Antiquities in Khartoum. The second is 12 feet high and is currently in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts. In 1920, archaeologists excavated Anlamani Palace in Gebel Barkal and found his actual throne hall. Part of an Anlamani statueWe will not be able to live in your home
Aspalta 600 - 580 BC.
Aspalta was a brother of Anlamani. He became king after Atlamani's death. According to things written during his reign, not everyone was happy about becoming king. In the second year of his rule, he encountered problems with some priests and ordered their killing. Shortly after that, and to justify his killing of the priests, he gave many gifts to the temple and built tombs for some officials who had died long ago and who had no burial places.
Early in his reign, Aspalta appears to have considered invading Egypt again. The Egyptian king Psamtik II attacked him initially. According to Egyptian inscriptions, Psamtik II invaded Kush with an army composed of Egyptians and Greek mercenaries. He defeated the Kushite forces and marched to attack the "city called Al-Jarf", probably Napata and Gebel Barkal. After this incident, Aspalta was transferred in 593 BC. His throne went south to Meroe (Al-Bajrawiya). There is a huge granite statue of this king currently in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, and there is a hall of his in the National Museum of Antiquities in Khartoum. His pyramid located in Nuri is considered one of the best and most complete burials among the Kushite royal pyramids, and it is the least exposed to looting. The excavators found many wonderful jewelry and jars made of gold and alabaster in his burial. These finds are now distributed between the Boston Museum of Fine Arts and the Sudan National Museum of Antiquities in Khartoum. Apohol Aspalta
Yeriki Amanoti 430 - 400 BC.
One of the few known kings after Aspalta, he is noted for his writings. The reason for this is that few people in Kush, after his reign, remembered reading and writing in the Egyptian language. Yeriki Amanoti is known from the Egyptian inscriptions, which he left at different times during his reign in the Temple of Amun in Kawa (the eastern bank of the Nile facing the transverse Dongola). These writings tell us that he ascended the throne when he was young (he was 41 years old at the time) and that he ruled for at least 25 years (which means that he lived at least 66 years). He tells us that just before he was officially crowned king, the nomads to the north of Meroe began to rise up and that he had to wage war against them. Only after that was he able to go to Napata and Gebel Barkal for his coronation ceremony.
Later he made a trip from Napata downriver to visit the north. At this time, another Bedouin tribe called Al-Maddad revolted. Then he sent his army to seize their lands and capture their people to work as servants in the temples. Some researchers believe that Yeriki Amanoti may have helped the Egyptians in their resistance to the Persian invasion in 414-413 and 404 BC. He built a pyramid for himself in Nuri, which is the largest in that royal cemetery. Unfortunately, there are no pictures of this king.
Harseutef 390 - 350 BC. Harsyotv
Known from an obelisk inscribed with Egyptian script found at Gebel Barkal. This obelisk was made after Harseutef ruled for 35 years (which is the longest reign known for the Kushite kings). The inscription describes the events of his reign. It reveals that he was constantly fighting the desert inhabitants of his kingdom. It is recorded that at some point the Bedouins controlled Meroe, the metropolis of his throne. He also talks about the campaigns launched by his army in the desert, the capture of some desert leaders, and the looting of large numbers of livestock. He sent his army to Lower Nubia three times, possibly in an attempt to extend his empire to the north, as in former days. He talks about partially covering the temples with gold, about creating gardens and livestock pens, and about rebuilding the old royal palace, which he says has 60 rooms. Harsyotv's photo
Nestasen 335 - 315 BC. Nastasan
Archaeologists identified Nastasen from an obelisk originally erected in Gebel Barkal, but it was found in Latti, several miles further north. It was taken there by people in ancient times and used in construction dating back to the Christian era. We do not know the length of Nestasen's reign, but his text dates back to the eighth year of his reign. Like many other Kushite royal inscriptions, the text describes the king's journey from Meroe to Napata for his coronation ceremony at Gebel Barkal. The text also describes his visits to important temples in the north. The text tells us that in the early period of Nestasen's rule, a "chieftain" from Egypt called Kambasuden invaded Lower Nubia. Kampasoden arrived on transport boats, carrying people and livestock. Nestasen's army defeated the invaders, took their treasures, and gave them to the god Amun, image of Nestasen. Nestasin's photo
Arkamani- Ku 270 - 260 BC. Arkamani-ko
One of the rare Kush kings mentioned by name by Greek historians. The writer Agatharchides of Sindhus, writing in the second century BC, mentioned that Arkamani-Ko, whom he called “Argemenes”, was a contemporary of the Egyptian king Ptolemy II (285-246 BC). Agatharchid explains that before Arkamani-ku became king, the priests of Amun always had the authority to depose kings. All they have to do is send a message to the king ordering him to commit suicide. These messages were written as if they were coming directly from God. Argemenes received one of those letters, but instead of committing suicide, he marched with his soldiers to the temple and killed the priests!
The story is probably true, as Arkamani-ku was the first king to build his pyramid in Meroe (Bajrawiya) and not in Napata (i.e. Nuri). Many changes occurred during and after his reign. For example, the Kushites began to develop their own artistic and architectural styles that differed from Egyptian styles. They invented the Meroe script, which replaced the Egyptian script in that period. The Meroe god became the lion Abadamak with the power of the Egyptian god Amun. The king's name seems to mean "Arkamani king", and scholars believe that he was the founder of a new ruling dynasty. It is believed that his rule marked the beginning of the Meroe era. The first pyramids of Al-Bajrawiya (The first pyramids in Al-Bajrawiya: Arkamani-Ku pyramid to the left, and Amanislu pyramid to the right) The first pyramids of Bagrawiya
Amanislu "Amonasro" 260-250 BC. Amanislo
Amanislu ordered the construction of the second pyramid at Meroe (Bajrawiya), and could be a son of Arkamani-ku. He was the last king to rebuild the old palace at Gebel Barkal before it was replaced by a new palace. Amanislu became famous for the main reason that he put his name on two lion statues in Gebel Barkal. In the 1820s, British explorers carried the two statues to England, where they were placed in the British Museum. Scholars initially read his name as “Amonasro.” When the musician Giuseppe Verdi wrote his famous opera Aida (about a Kushite princess who falls in love with an Egyptian prince), he chose Amonasro as the name of her father. Granite lion statue (two granite lions from Gebel Barkal. Made by the Egyptian pharaohs Amenhotep III and Tutankhamun and placed in a solid temple, they were converted to Gebel Barkal and re-carved by Amancillo centuries later). Rakamani-ku
Arnkhamani 235 - 218 BC.
Arankhamani is famous for building the “Lion Temple” in Musawwarat As-Safar. This temple is considered one of the most wonderful ancient monuments remaining in Sudan. No historical documents remain from his reign. Because the reliefs in his temple reached a high degree of magnificence and strength, archaeologists believe that Arnkhamani supported the development of art and architecture. He and his family also developed the worship of the Meroitic lion god Abadamak, who became as important to the Meroites as Amun.
Sculptors meticulously depicted the king's African features on the walls of the Arnkhamani Temple. In one of the scenes, the king appears riding on the back of an elephant. On the outer walls, the king is shown with his son, the prince of the throne, Arca, and the chief deities. On the interior walls, the king is shown with at least two or more sons and a number of women, possibly his wives and daughters. Other scenes show herds of cattle and the subjugation of hostile southern tribes. Arankhamani and his son Arka (View of Arankhamani and his son Arka on the northern wall of the Lion Temple in the yellow paintings) The king riding on the back of an elephantArnkhamani and his son Arka
Shanakdakheti 170-150 BC. Shanakdakhiti
Shenakdakhiti was probably the first female queen of Kush. Although her family relationships are unknown, she appears in artwork in some cases alongside a younger man. This man raises his arm from behind her to touch her crown. As long as we see in cases of the god Amun taking this same position when he grants royal authority to a king, some scholars believed that the man standing behind the queen was a crowned prince. They believe that it was either her husband or her father, who died before ascending to the throne. Therefore, the queen may have placed the crown on her head instead.
The name Shenakdakhiti was inscribed in a destroyed temple, where the oldest inscriptions in Meroe hieroglyphs were found. Its pyramid at Meroe (Al-Bajrawiyah) is one of the largest pyramids built by the Kush kings. The pyramid includes a unique chapel containing two rooms and two columns. This chapel is considered one of the most meticulous in terms of sculpture. The scenes in the prayer hall depict military campaigns to the south and the looting of large numbers of livestock and prisoners. The scenes show the queen in the form of a huge, obese woman. All the Meroe queens after Shanakdakheti had similar massive figures, which was not only an aesthetic symbol but also an expression of wealth and power. Chanakdakheti pyramid chapel (view from Meroe (Bajrawiya) believed to represent Shanakdakheti and a man from her family providing royal authority to her).
Tanid Amani 110-90 BC. Tanida Amani
This kingship is primarily attested by two important objects: The first is an inscribed stone that is currently in the Walters Art Gallery in Baltimore. In this stone, the king is shown offering veneration to the lion god Abadamak. The second is a huge granite slab, currently in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, showing the king offering veneration to the god Amun. The Boston tablet contains the longest Meroe inscription found to date. The tablet was found on one side of the corridor leading to the Great Temple of Amun in Gebel Barkal. The first side shows a scene of the king presenting war prisoners to the god. On the second side, the king appears again, dressed as a high priest, standing between two forms of the god. The long inscription, which is still difficult to read, mostly describes the king's victories over the desert people, as well as the architectural activities he carried out. Archaeologists are still not sure which of the burials belong to this king. Part of the Tanid Amani Obelisk
Amani Rinas “Amani Rina” 40-10 BC. Amani Renas
One of the great queens in the history of Meroe. She was the wife of King Tritikas and succeeded him to the throne after his death. It is attested by four inscriptions, where it is called “Kandaka” and “Kuri”. “Kandaka” was a title for the queen of Meroe and often means “first royal wife.” This Meroitic surname is the origin of the European female name Candace. Without knowing that it was a title, Roman writers believed that “Kandaka” was the name of many of the queens of Meroe.
Amani Rinas was probably the "Kandaka" who ordered her army to attack Seni (Aswan) in 24 BC. Immediately after Egypt became subject to Rome. This attack angered the Romans, so they sent a retaliatory campaign that reached the holy city of Napata. Both the Kushites and the Romans claim victory in the war between them. After a peace agreement was concluded, the Romans never returned to attack Kush. It seems that the Roman commanders actually saw the queen, for the Greek geographer Strabo wrote that the queen "was very masculine and blind in one eye." This description, in terms of masculinity and physical strength, corresponds exactly with the scenes of the great queens of Meroe that we can see on the walls of their tombs and temples. Pyramid 21 of the Northern Cemetery, Al-Bajrawiya (Pyramid 21 of the Northern Cemetery, Meroe (Al-Bajrawiya) was the burial place of the great queen whose name has not been preserved. Many scholars believe that this pyramid was the burial place of Queen Amani Rinas and that the seated lady, inscribed on the walls of the chapel, is Amani Rinas. The best surviving figure of the queen is difficult to photograph due to the mass of the ceiling, which is still present above the figure and casts its shadow Therefore, in this shown view, the shadow was removed by using the computer, which makes the shape visible. She ordered her army to attack Seni21 Northern Cemetery, Al-Bajrawiya
Amani Shakheti 10-1 BC. Amani Shakhiti
Amani Shakheti was a great queen who ascended the throne of Meroe after the death of Amani Rinas. Most likely she was her sister or she was the second wife of King Tritikas, or she was the "daughter" of Amani Renas. She was also called “Kandaka” like Amani Renas.
Amani Shakheti was among the most powerful and wealthy rulers of Meroe. The palace and temples, the ruins of which are currently located in Wadbanga, were built. Her burial place in Meroe (Al-Bajrawiyah) was one of the largest pyramids ever built. In 1833, an Italian adventurer named Giuseppe Ferlini destroyed its pyramid in search of treasure. Some of the queen's jewelry was found, which is now distributed between the Egyptian Museum in Berlin and the Munich Museum. The queen appears, in her tomb chapel. She is adorned with a large amount of ornaments and jewelry, carrying her weapons, with which she kills the enemies of the North and South. Portrait of Amani Shakheti (Portrait of Amani Shakheti, from the gate of her burial chapel in Meroe (Al-Bajrawiyah), is currently in the Egyptian Museum in Berlin). Queen JewelleryAmani Shakheti's photo
Natkamani and Amani Tare 1-20 AD Ntkamani and Amani tari
AD. This husband-wife duo are the most famous of the Meroe kings. They are attested not from historical inscriptions, but from the beautiful buildings they built throughout the kingdom. They are famous not only for their artistic and architectural works, but also for the fact that they never appear alone. They appear only together as husband and wife, a mirror that reflects the male-female duality. The meaning behind that depiction is unclear. Some scholars believe that Ntkamane may belong to a non-royal family and therefore always needed to confirm his legitimacy by appearing with his wife of royal origins. It is clear that there is a kinship relationship between Amani Tari and Queen Amani Shakheti, as the latter’s obelisk was found inside the Temple of Amun in Naqa, which is the temple built by Netkamani and Amani Tari. It is possible that Amani Tari is the daughter of Amani Shakheti. The royal couple, Ntkamane and Amani Tare, had three sons whom they groomed to take the throne. The first died while he was still young and was buried directly next to the tomb of Amani Shakheti. The burial of the second son has not been identified. The third of them, Shirakarir, became king after his father's death. The western wall of the lion god at Naqa (View of the western wall of the temple of the lion god Abademak at Naqa. Here Queen Amani-Tari (left) and her husband, King Netkamani (right) stand on either side of the god, who faces and extends his arms to both the couple and the viewer. Thus the god appears with four arms and three faces). The western wall of Abd al-Asad in Naqa
Shirakarir 20 - 30 PM
Chirakerer was the third son of the royal duo Ntkamane and Amani Tare and the only one of their children to become king. Archaeologists know Shirakarir mainly from its amazing remains. This monument is a drawing on a granite rock prominent in the desert in Mount Qili, 92 miles northeast of Khartoum. The drawing shows the king standing before the sun god (a figure of the god Amun), who was drawn like the Greek sun god Helios. The king wears a quiver of arrows and carries a bow, arrows, a spear, and a sword. He is depicted victorious over his enemies. He stands in a row of four bound prisoners. He catches seven others with a rope and presents them to God. God extends to the king a handful of pearls. The pearl often symbolizes reaping a good crop. The shapes of other enemies are depicted in rows as if they were lying dead on the battlefield or thrown from the top of the mountain. Shirakarir drawingNtkamani and Amani tari
