Amanitore

Who is Amanitore?

Amanitore was a Nubian Kandake of the ancient Kushitic Kingdom of Meroë, which also is referred to as Nubia in many ancient sources. An alternate spelling is Kandace, Kandake, or Kentake. In Egyptian hieroglyphics the throne name of Amanitore reads as Merkare. Many Candaces are described as warrior queens who led forces in battle.

Kandace Amanitore often is mentioned as co-regent with Natakamani although the evidence does not show whether she was his wife or mother.

Her royal palace was at Gebel Barkal which now is a UNESCO heritage site. The area of her rule was between the Nile and the Atbara rivers.

She was part of the Meroitic historical period and her reign began in 1 BC. The rule of her successor, Amanitaraqide, was complete by 50 AD.

Amanitore is mentioned in a number of texts as a ruler. These include the temple at the Nubian capital of Napata in present day Sudan, in a temple in Meroë near Shendi, again in Sudan, and at the Naga Lion Temple. Images of Natakamani frequently include an image of Amanitore, however, it could be that Amanitore was his mother rather than his wife. A Kandake was a powerful position in the hierarchy of Kush. The mothers would rule and create their sons as rulers, but they also deposed their own sons too. In fact, a Kandake could order the king to commit suicide to end his rule, an order that he was required to follow.