The “One-Eyed” Queen Amanirenas was the Queen of Kush in present-day Sudan and has been recorded as a queen of prestige, pedigree, caliber, and strength. She reigned from 40 to10BC and is one of the most respected rulers in Africa’s history. She is most famous for leading a fight against the Roman Empire and defeating one of the most feared leaders, emperor Caesar Augustus.
From the beginning of the life of the Queen (Kandake), to how she was fearless, led about 30,000 male and female soldiers; and became one of the most significant women ever, here is what everyone should know about her.
Most Fascinating Facts About The Great African Queen
1. She is One of the Greatest Queens To have ever existed
While her name may not have been heard as those of Cleopatra or Queen Elizabeth, Queen Amanirenas sure had her name written in gold in history. She is not only one of the greatest African Queens but one of the greatest in the world.
As the Qore (ruler) of Kush, she reigned for about 30 years and was believed to have been born around 60 to 50 B.C.E. When her nation was faced with war troubles.
The Kandake refused to back down because of the troubles and had to face Caesar Augustus of the Roman Empire who had conquered Egypt and taken it from Mark Anthony and Cleopatra.
Instead, she assembled 30,000 soldiers, trained them, and fought the Romans in 24 BCE. Her work in the war led to her taking 3 Roman cities (Syene, Philae, and Elephantine) and getting captives.
She added this victory with a dare to Augustus when she ordered that the head of the statue of Augustus be removed and buried beneath the entrance of her palace.
The Qore of Kush also fought till she drew the line and ended up as one of the greatest African Queens to have ever existed.
2. She Forced One of The Most Powerful Rulers on Earth to Sign A Peace Treaty
After she led to the defeat of Rome, the Roman soldiers did not go back in shame but launched another attack that earned them back their lost cities. The war took about 5 years until Queen Amanirenas as well as the Roman Empire were ready to make a peace treaty in 22 BC.
It was reported that the queen sent her men to Augustus with golden arrows with a message that stated that the arrows were for peace and that if he wanted war, then he was going to need them.
Caesar accepted the peace and it ended in an agreement that the Roman soldiers would stay off her land and she also released Romans in captivity.
It also meant that the city of Kush did not have to become the subject of Rome. Hence, there was no need to pay taxes or tribute or resources be sent to Rome as done by many other nations under the Roman Empire.
3. Her Kingdom Was a Wealthy One
Kush was a kingdom that flourished in a wealth of gold and iron among other things. It traded mostly with Egypt among other neighboring Kingdoms.
However, Kush’s wealth suffered during the wars that Amanirenas fought but before her reign was over, she was able to reclaim most of it.
4. Queen Amanirenas Lost Her Husband, Eye, and Son in a War
At the early stage of the war, Queen Amanirenas lost her husband from sickness and injury. Her husband was a Nubian King (Qore) known as King Teriteqas or King Teritegas.
Also, in one of the many battles, her eye was injured and blinded. When it got healed, she continued leading and in 24 B.C in Dakka, her son Prince Akinidad was killed.
See Also: African Mythology; 15 Myths And Legends That Will Blow Your Mind
5. She remained Single Even After The Death of Her Huband
Perhaps other than marriage, Queen Amanirenas had more interest in building her security and regaining the years the nation lost to war. Hence, she stayed unmarried even years after the death of her husband, King Teriteqas
6. The Warrior and Beauty Scars She Had on Her Face is Still Used By Sudanese Woman as Sign of Beauty
Queen Amanerinas had the daring character and physical strength that is often compared to a man’s. Apart from those, she still set herself as a woman whose beauty was further enhanced by 3 facial scars on her cheeks. The scars are associated with the physical beauty of the Queen in Moroe which is still used by women in modern Sudan.
7. She Led The First Black Africans Who Were Independent of Egypt To Travel to Europe For a Diplomatic Resolution
At a point in the war between the Kushites and the Romans, both cities faced victories and defeats.
Subsequently, the queen’s army came face to face with defeat and she asked to return to defense. Sadly for her, her son was killed while defending their home.
This pushed her to ask for her men to go back to attack and had her men surround Gaius Petronius who was then the prefect of Egypt.
Petronius knew he could not come out of the ambush if she decided to strike. For this reason among others, he opted for a cease-fire and sent the queen and her soldiers to Caesar.
According to sources, it became the first time in history that a black ruler that was not part of Egypt traveled to Europe for a diplomatic resolution.
8. She was The Reason Why Kush Lasted 4 Centuries Longer
Because of the wars she fought and drawing the line between her nation and Rome, she was able to buy time for the existence of her people and territory. Following her death, she was succeeded by Kandake Amanishakheto who was also later succeeded by Amanitore and later Kandake Amanitaraqide.
9. Where Did Queen Amanirenas Get Her Power From?
The Nubians around the 60 the 10th BC down to the AD held women in high esteem. Probably because they worshipped female gods such as Isis.
The women were allowed to rule and were also allowed to train as soldiers. It is probably as a result of her bravery and training among other things that Amenirenas gained her power that feared men including the Romans.
10. She Fed Her Enemies to Her Pet Lion
There are different depictions of how fierce the ancient queen was. According to some, she was known to be a lover of animals which she did not spare much in using to defend Kush. She was said to have used war elephants as well as served her pet lion and her captives as a meal.
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