Introduction
The term “Kandake” (Meroitic: ⟨kdke
/ ktke⟩; rendered in Greek as κανδάκη and in Latin as Candace) was a royal
title in the Kingdom of Kush – Meroe, referring to a woman who held real power:
sometimes a queen regnant, sometimes a queen mother or royal consort with
tangible administrative and religious authority. The title appears in Meroitic
inscriptions and was also mentioned in Greek and Roman sources under its
foreign form.
(Source: escholarship.org)
?Why Do the Kandakes Matter
The Kandakes were not mere
ceremonial figures; they participated actively in political decision-making,
military leadership, religious functions, and the supervision of major
architectural and economic projects. Studying their roles reshapes our
understanding of women’s authority in the ancient Nubian monarchies and reveals
the dynamics of power and inheritance in ancient northern Sudan and southern
Egypt.
(Source: worldhistory.org)
List of Known Kandakes (Approximate Chronological Order)
Methodological Note: The dates
are approximate and based on epigraphic analysis and tomb dating. Some names
and sequences remain subject to revision depending on new archaeological
discoveries or updated readings of Meroitic texts.
1. Nahirqo (Mid-2nd century BCE)
Considered one of the earliest known ruling queens of Kush, based on tomb Beg.
N 11 and associated inscriptions. Recent re-readings have reassigned several
artifacts once attributed to Shanakdakhete to Nahirqo, strengthening her
position as the earliest documented ruling Kandake.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
2. Unnamed Queen (Late 2nd century BCE – Early 1st century BCE)
There is evidence of female rulers depicted visually in reliefs and tombs whose
names are incomplete, making this transitional period difficult to date
precisely.
3. Amanirenas (c. 40–10 BCE)
One of the most famous Kandakes, she led military campaigns against Roman Egypt
at the end of the first century BCE. Her leadership, as recorded in classical
sources, resulted in a negotiated peace that preserved Kushite independence.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
4. Amanishakheto (Late 1st century BCE – Early 1st century CE)
Known from her inscriptions and the rich treasures found in her tomb (Beg. N
6), which were plundered in the 19th century by Giuseppe Ferlini. Her wealth
and power reflect strong political and symbolic authority.
(Source: artofnubia.com)
5. Shanakdakhete (Early 1st century CE)
Once thought to be the earliest Kandake, later studies based on paleography and
linguistic analysis reassigned some monuments to Nahirqo. Nonetheless,
Shanakdakhete is credited with major architectural projects at Naqa.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
6. Nawidemak (Early to mid-1st century CE)
Known from funerary scenes showing her in royal regalia. Likely ruled during a
transitional phase between Amanishakheto and Natakamani, though her dating
remains debated.
7. Amanitore (Mid-1st century CE)
Ruled jointly with Natakamani as co-regent. Their reign marked a period of
prosperity and large-scale temple restoration and construction in Meroe, Naqa,
and Napata.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
8. Amanikhatacham and Later Queens (2nd–4th centuries CE)
Other royal female names appear in Meroitic inscriptions from later
centuries—some clear, others still being interpreted. They indicate the
continued presence of female rulership until the decline of Meroitic authority
in the 4th century CE.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
Roles of the Kandakes in Meroitic Rule
• Direct Rule: Some Kandakes
bore the title qore (king) alongside kandake, signifying full royal authority.
• Military Leadership: Most famously, Amanirenas led armies against Roman
Egypt.
• Religious Authority: They presided over temple rituals and sacred functions,
legitimizing their rule.
• Administration and Economy: They oversaw temple construction, waterworks, and
economic activities that sustained the Meroitic state.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)
?When Did the Title “Kandake” Appear
The title is recorded in
Meroitic texts as ⟨kdke / ktke⟩ and was rendered into Greek and Latin as
Candace. Its early use coincides with the formation of the Meroitic state and
the spread of the Meroitic script during the late first millennium BCE. The
precise political emergence of the title remains under study and may shift with
new archaeological discoveries.
(Source: escholarship.org)
Credibility of the Chronology and Names
Meroitic inscriptions and royal
tombs are the primary sources for confirming the names and chronology of the
Kandakes. However, many inscriptions are incomplete or damaged, leading
scholars to revise royal sequences as new readings or datings emerge. The list
above reflects the current scholarly consensus.
(Source: en.wikipedia.org)