List of monarchs of Kush
This is an incomplete list for rulers with the title of Qore (king) or Kandake (queen) of the Kingdom of Kush. Some of the dates are only rough estimates. While the chronological list is well known only a few monarchs have definite dates. These include those leaders who also ruled Ancient Egypt and those who ruled during famous invasions or famous trade expeditions. The others are based on estimates made by Fritz Hintze. The estimates are based on the average length of the reigns, which were then shortened or lengthened based on the size and splendour of the monarch's tomb. The assumption being that monarchs who reigned longer had more time and resources to build their burial sites. An added complication is that in recent years there have been disputes as to which monarch belongs to which tomb.
Dates are definite and accurate for the Kushite rulers of the twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt, when Egypt was invaded and absorbed by the Kushite Empire. The dates also are certain for kings Aspelta, Arakamani, Nastasen, and for the Kandakes Shanakdakhete, Amanirenas, Amanishakheto, Amanitore, and Amanikhatashan.
The early part of the chronology is incomplete. The graves and pyramid burials in Sudan consist of remains of at least fourteen [1] monarchs of the Kushite Empire preceding Piankhi, the earliest tomb of which dates from about 1020 BCE. Two of these are known: Alara and Kashta, who immediately preceded Piankhi. It also is possible that another of the burials may have been of Aserkamani, who was living in 950 BCE and who carried out expeditions in Egypt and along the Mediterranean coast of North Africa.
Kushite kings of Kerma
| nr | name of King | date | Burial | Queen(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| // | (unknown) | 1020 BCE | ||
| // | Kandake Makeda | c. 1005 BCE–950 BCE | ||
| // | Aserkamani | 950 BCE | ||
| // | Seb | |||
| // | Queen Kadimalo (depicted in Semna) |
Capital moves to Napata
Napatan Period
The period starting with Kashta and ending with Malonaqen is sometimes called the Napatan Period. The Kings ruled over Napata and Meroe. During this period the seat of government and the royal palace are in Napata and Meroe is a provincial city. The kings and queens are buried in Nuri and El-Kurru.[2]
- The numbering of the kings is based on László Török's The kingdom of Kush: handbook..
| nr | name of King | date | Burial | Queen(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| // | King Alara | c. 795 to 752 BCE | Kurru 9? | Queen Kasaqa (Kurru 23) |
| 1 | King Kashta | c. 765–752 BCE | Kurru 8 | Queen Pebatjma (Kurru 7?) |
Twenty-fifth dynasty of Egypt
King Piye invades Egypt and for seven decades the Nubians rule Egypt.
| nr | name of King | date | Burial | Queen(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | Pharaoh Piye (Piankhi) | 752–721 BCE | Kurru 17 | Queen Tabiry (Kurru 53) Queen Abar (Nuri 53?) Queen Khensa (Kurru 4) Queen Peksater (Kurru 54) Nefrukekashta (Kurru 52) |
| 3 | Pharaoh Shabaka | 721–707/706 BCE | Kurru 15 | Queen Qalhata (Kurru 5) Queen Mesbat Queen Tabekenamun? |
| 4 | Pharaoh Shebitku | 707/706–690 BCE | Kurru 18 | Queen Arty (Kurru 6) |
| 5 | Pharaoh Taharqa | 690–664 BCE | Nuri 1 | Queen Takahatenamun (Nuri 21?) Queen Atakhebasken (Nuri 36) Queen Naparaye (Kurru 3) Queen Tabekenamun? |
| 6 | Pharaoh Tantamani | 664–653 BCE | Kurru 16 | Queen Piankharty Queen [..]salka Queen Malaqaye? (Nuri 59) |
Second Phase
The Nubians no longer control Egypt. The Kings rule over Napata and Meroe as before the conquest of Egypt.
| nr | name of King | date | Burial | Queen(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 | King Atlanersa | 653–640 BCE | Nuri 20? | Queen Khaliset Queen Malotaral (Nuri 41) Queen Yeturow (Nuri 53) Queen Peltasen Queen Taba[..] |
| 8 | King Senkamanisken | 640–620 BCE | Nuri 3 | Queen Nasalsa (Nuri 24) Queen Amanimalel? (Nuri 22?) |
| 9 | King Anlamani | 620–600 BCE | Nuri 6 | Queen Mediken ? (Nuri 27) |
| 10 | King Aspelta | 600–580 BCE | Nuri 8 | Queen Mediken? (Nuri 27) Queen Henuttakhebit (Nuri 28) Queen Asata (Nuri 42) Queen Artaha (Nuri 58) |
| 11 | King Aramatle-qo | 568–555 BCE | Nuri 9 | Queen Atmataka (Nuri 55) Queen Piankh-her Queen Maletasen (Nuri 39) Queen Amanitakaye (Nuri 26) Queen Akhe(qa)? (Nuri 38) |
| 12 | King Malonaqen | 555–542 BCE | Nuri 5 | Queen Tagtal (nuri 45) |
Meroitic Period
First Phase
The Kings ruled over Napata and Meroe. The seat of government and the royal palace are in Meroe. The Main temple of Amun is located in Napata, but the temple at Meroe is under construction. Kings and many queens are buried in Nuri, some queens are buried in Meroe, in the West Cemetery.[2]
| nr | name of King | date | Burial | Queen(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 | King Analmaye | 542–538 BCE | Nuri 18 | |
| 14 | King Amaninatakilebte | 538–519 BCE | Nuri 10 | |
| 15 | King Karkamani | 519–510 BCE | Nuri 7 | |
| 16 | King Amaniastabarqa | 510–487 BCE | Nuri 2 | |
| 17 | King Siaspiqa | 487–468 BCE) | Nuri 4 | Queen Piankhqew-qa? (Nuri 28) |
| 18 | King Nasakhma | 468–463 BCE | Nuri 8 | Queen Saka'aye? (Nuri 31) |
| 19 | King Malewiebamani | 463–435 BCE | Nuri 11 | |
| 20 | King Talakhamani | 435–431 BCE | Nuri 16 | |
| 21 | King Amanineteyerike | 431–405 BCE | Nuri 12 | Queen Atasamale? |
| 22 | King Baskakeren | 405–404 BCE | Nuri 17 | |
| 23 | King Harsiotef | 404–369 BCE | Nuri 13 | Queen Batahaliye Queen Pelkha? |
| 24 | King (unknown Qore) | 369–350 BCE | Kurru 1 | |
| 25 | King Akhraten | 350–335 BCE | Nuri 14 | |
| 26 | King Amanibakhi | 2nd half 4th century BCE | ?? | |
| 27 | King Nastasen | 335–315 BCE | Nuri 15 | Queen Sakhmakh (Nuri 56?) |
Second Phase
The seat of government and the royal palace are in Meroe. Kings and many queens are buried in Meroe, in the South Cemetery. Napata's only importance is the Amun Temple.[2]
| nr | name of King | date | Burial | Queen(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | King Aktisanes | Early 3rd century BCE | Barkal 11 or 14 | Kandake Alakhebasken |
| 29 | King Aryamani | first half 3rd century BCE | Barkal 11 or 14 | |
| 30 | King Kash(...) | first half 3rd century BCE | Barkal 15? | |
| 31 | King Piankhi-yerike-qa | first half 3rd century BCE | ?? | |
| 32 | King Sabrakamani | first half 3rd century BCE | Barkal 7 |
Third Phase
The seat of government and the royal palace are in Meroe. Kings are buried in Meroe, in the North Cemetery, and Queens in West Cemetery. Napata's only importance is the Amun Temple. Meroe flourishes and many building projects are undertaken.[2]
| nr | name of King | date | Burial | Queen(s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 33 | King Arakamani (Arkamani-qo, Ergamenês) | 270–260 BCE | Beg. S 6 | |
| 34 | King Amanislo | 260–250 BCE | Beg. S 6 | |
| 35 | King Aman-tekha | mid-3rd century BCE | Beg. S 4 | |
| 36 | King Sheshep-ankh-en-Amun Setepenre | mid/late 3rd century BCE | ?? | |
| 37 | King Arnekhamani | mid/late 3rd century BCE | Beg. N 53 | |
| 38 | King Arqamani | 3rd/2nd century BCE | Beg. N 7 | |
| 39 | King Adikhalamani | 2nd century BCE | Beg. N 9 | |
| 40 | King [...]mr[...]t | 2nd century BCE | Beg. N 8 | |
| 41 | King (unknown Qore) | 2nd century BCE | Beg. N 10 | |
| 42 | Queen Shanakdakhete | late 2nd century BCE | Beg. N 11 | |
| 43 | King Tanyidamani | late 2nd century BCE /early 1st century BCE | Beg. N 12? | |
| 44 | King Naqyrinsan | early 1st century BCE | Beg. N 13 | |
| 45 | King (unknown Qore) | early 1st century BCE | Beg. N 20 | |
| 46 | King (unknown Qore) | middle 1st century BCE | Barkal 1 ? | |
| 47 | King Aqrakamani | c. 29–25 BCE | ?? | |
| 48 | King Teriteqas | c. 29–25 BCE | Barkal 2 | |
| 49 | Queen Amanirenas | late 1st century BCE | Barkal 4 | |
| 50 | Queen Amanishakheto | late 1st century BCE | Beg. N 6 | |
| 51 | Queen Nawidemak | early 1st century CE | Barkal 6? | |
| 52 | King Amanikhabale | middle 1st century CE | Beg. N 2? | |
| 53a | King Natakamani | mid/late 1st century CE | Beg. N 22 | Queen Amanitore (coregent) |
| 53b | Queen Furude Rika | mid/late 1st century CE | Beg. N 1 |
Crown princes from the time of Natakamani and Amanitore
- Arikhankharer
- Arikakahtani
Fourth Phase
Twilight of the Meroitic Culture. Kings are buried in Meroe, in the North Cemetery, and Queens in West Cemetery. In 350 CE Meroe is destroyed by Axum.[2]
- List and dates from The Cambridge history of Africa, by J.D. Fage, and R.A. Oliver and from The kingdom of Kush: the Napatan and Meroitic empires, by Derek A. Welsby. The order in which the kings and queens ruled and dates are not consistent between authors. Approximate dates have been given.
| name of King | date | Burial |
|---|---|---|
| King Shorkaror | 1st century CE | Beg. N 10 |
| King Pisakar | 1st century CE | Beg. N 15 |
| King Amanitaraqide | 1st century CE | Beg. N 16 |
| King Amanitenmemide | 1st century CE | Beg. N 17 |
| Queen Amanikhatashan | 1st century CE | Beg. N 18 |
| King Teritnide | 1st century CE | Beg. N 40 |
| King Teqerideamani I | 1st/2nd century | Beg. N 28 |
| King Tamelerdeamani | 2nd century | Beg. N 34 or 27 |
| King Adeqatali | 2nd century | Beg. N 41 |
| King Takideamani | 2nd century | Beg. N 29 |
| King Tarekeniwal | 2nd century | Beg. N 19 |
| King Amanikhalika | 2nd century | Beg. N 32 |
| King Aritenyesbokhe | 2nd century | Beg. N 30 |
| King Amanikhareqerem | 2nd century | Beg. N 37 |
| King Teritedakhatey | early 3rd century | Beg. N 38 |
| King Aryesbokhe | early 3rd century | Beg. N 36 |
| King Teqerideamani II | 3rd century | ?? |
| Queen Maleqorobar? | 3rd century | Beg. N 27 |
| King Yesbokheamani? | 3rd century | Beg. N 24 |
| Queen Lakhideamani? | 4th century | Beg. N 26 |
(Unknown sequence thereafter)
See also
- Viceroy of Kush
- Kandake
- Makuria
References
- ↑ Kushite Kingdom by Brian Yare (14)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 Dows Dunham, Notes on the History of Kush 850 B. C.-A. D. 350, American Journal of Archaeology, Vol. 50, No. 3 (July - September , 1946), pp. 378-388
Sources
- Stewart, John (1989). African States and Rulers: An Encyclopedia of Native, Colonial, and Independent States and Rulers Past and Present. Jefferson: McFarland & Company. p. 395 Pages. ISBN 0-89950-390-X.