Origins & Early Life

Amanitore, also spelled Amanitere or Amanitare, was a queen regnant of the Kingdom of Kush, ruling from Meroë in the middle of the 1st century AD. She ruled together with her son, Natakamani. The co-reign of Amanitore and Natakamani is a very well attested period and appears to have been a prosperous time. They may have been contemporaries of the emperor Nero.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Amanitore and Natakamani are known from their tombs and from numerous monuments where the two are depicted together. Older scholars assumed that Amanitore was Natakamani's wife, although they are now assumed to have been mother and son, because an ancient graffito found at the Temple of Dakka suggests that Amanitore was Natakamani's mother. During their co-reign, only Natakamani was explicitly titled as ruler (qore), with Amanitore being titled as kandake (queen consort/mother). They are however clearly depicted as co-rulers with equal power given that both are shown with the regalia and attire of kings. Neither Natakamani nor Amanitore are ever attested to have ruled on their own without the other.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

Amanitore is buried in her own pyramid in Meroë, Beg. N 1. The tomb is approximately six metres square at its base, and...

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