Hall of Fame
A selection of some of the Kingdom of Kush’s most important rulers
Amanirenas
Reigned: c.40 BCE – c.10 BCE
The second of the eight Kandakes of Kush, Amanirenas ruled over the kingdom at the same time as Cleopatra and Mark Antony were reigning over Egypt. However, when the Roman Emperor Augustus seized power in Egypt, Rome also made their claims to Nubia. Amanirenas, who lost her husband in a battle against the Romans in the early stages of the Roman occupation, led troops in attacks on cities in Roman-occupied Egypt in order to defend Nubia’s sovereignty. The war between Rome and Kush finally ended when Amanirenas helped broker a peace treaty that established the kingdom’s ongoing independence and autonomy.
PIYE
REIGNED: C.744 BCE – C.714 BCE
Piye, also sometimes referred to as Piankhi or Pankhy, was the third King of Kush. He is credited with consolidating Kushite rule in Egypt and is considered the founder of the 25th Dynasty of the Kush Egyptian Pharaohs. During his reign, Piye travelled through Egypt, defeating local princes and obtaining tributes from those who surrendered to his forces. Piye did not remain in Egypt, however, and returned to Napata to continue ruling over Kush. His victories in Egypt were recorded on a magnificent stele that was discovered at Jebel Barkal. Three of Piye’s sons succeeded him as kings of Kush and Egypt.
ALARA
REIGNED: C.790 BCE – C.760 BCE
Alara was the first Kushite king and is credited with founding the great Kingdom of Kush through the unification of the various localities that made up Nubia. It is possible that Alara based his new royal position on the model of the Egyptian pharaohs, showing how Kushite culture was influenced by their neighbours. Though little is known about his reign, Alara has been identified through inscriptions dating from the reigns of his descendents and successors.
Aspelta
Reigned: c.600 BCE – c.580 BCE
King Aspelta is well known by historians and archaeologists of the Kushite kingdom due to the wealth of artefacts linked to him and his reign that have been discovered at various sites. Aspelta’s tomb was the second largest at the cemetery at Nuri and contained a treasure trove of historical objects. His granite sarcophagus, now held at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, stands as an incredible example of Kushite burial traditions. Aspelta’s reign was also recorded by several stelae that have survived over the centuries. He inherited the throne from his brother, Anlamani, and was believed to have had several wives.
Harsiotef
