The Kandakes — Queens of Kush
"Kandake" is a Kushite royal title meaning "the queen mother," borne by women who ruled the Kingdom of Kush from its capital Meroe for many centuries, and who were full partners in power, not merely wives of kings.
The earliest famous among them is Queen Shanakdakhete (around 170 BC), whose temple inscriptions immortalized her image in armor, holding a spear, going into battle herself — testimony that rule in Kush was not the preserve of men.
The most famous of all is Queen Amanirenas (40–10 BC), who led the armies of Kush in a fierce war against the Roman Empire (25–22 BC) and forced Rome into a peace treaty that respected the independence of the Kingdom of Meroe. Historians related that a bronze head of the Emperor Augustus — spoils from that war — was buried beneath the threshold of one of Meroe's palaces.
After them the queens continued to rule: Amanishakhete, owner of pyramid N6 at Begrawiya, and Amanitore, who ruled in partnership with King Natakamani at the height of Meroe's flourishing.
📚 Sources: World History Encyclopedia (The Candaces of Meroe); HISTORY website (Amanirenas vs Rome); Encyclopedia.pub (Kandake: Nubian Women Rulers).
— Editorial Team