Shanakdakheto Ruling Queen of the Kush Empire
Shanakdakheto shah-nahk-dah-kee-toh
Classification :
Important Historical Figure
Culture/Region: Meroe Nubia
Ruling Queen of Kush Empire
Reign: Circa 177 to 155
Preceded by Unknown
Succeeded by Tanyidamani
Queen Shanakdakhete was the first African queen of Nubia.
References: Wall Inscriptions at Temple F in Naga. Her name
appears in Meroitic Hieroglyphics in the middle of an Egyptian text
She styled herself as Son of Re, Lord of the Two Lands,
Center of Cult: A Temple was dedicated to her at Meroe
She is said to have ruled with full power in the Meroë
Empire. She is also said to have ruled
without a king. It is also stated that as queen she played a significant role
in the Meroitic religion.[5] In the 2nd century BC Shanakdakheto built the
Temple F at Naqa.
As an African beauty, the queen is shown with a strong
build, and bejeweled, a trait indicating wealth, power and prosperity, and
childbearing capacity.
In the decorations of her mortuary chapel, the architectural
features are highly artistic. In one sunken relief the queen is depicted
wearing an embellished garment and bejeweled, sitting on a royal seat shaped as
a lion, carrying a spear and palm branch in her right, with her left hand
raised.
Sandstone relief from south wall of funerary chapel of Queen
Shanakdakhete; right: queen enthroned, prince behind, both figures protected by
wings of Isis; left: religious scenes and rows of attendant figures bearing
palm-branches; formed from fifty-one blocks.
Africa: sub-Saharan Africa: Sudan: Northern Nile: Meroë
(Nubia - archaic)
Acquisition name
Donated by: Government of Sudan
Acquisition date
1905
