List of monarchs of Kush

From left to right, statues of the 7th century BC kings Tantamani, Taharqa, Senkamanisken, Tantamani, Aspelta, Anlamani and Senkamanisken. Now in the Kerma Museum.

This is an incomplete list for rulers with the title of Qore (king) or Kandake (queen) of the Kingdom of Kush. Some of the dates are only rough estimates. While the chronological list is well known, only a few monarchs have definite dates. These include those leaders who also ruled Ancient Egypt and those who ruled during famous invasions or famous trade expeditions. The others are based on estimates made by Fritz Hintze. The estimates are based on the average length of the reigns, which were then shortened or lengthened based on the size and splendour of the monarch's tomb. The assumption being that monarchs who reigned longer had more time and resources to build their burial sites. An added complication is that in recent years, there have been disputes as to which monarch belongs to which tomb.

Dates are definite and accurate for the Kushite rulers of the Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt, when Egypt was invaded and absorbed by the Kushites Empire. The dates are also certain for kings Aspelta, Arakamani, Nastasen, and for the Kandakes Shanakdakhete, Amanirenas, Amanishakheto, Amanitore, and Amanikhatashan.

The early part of the chronology is incomplete. The graves and pyramid burials in Sudan consist of remains of at least fourteen monarchs of the Kushite Empire preceding Piankhi, the earliest tomb of which dates from about 1020 BCE. Two of these are known: Alara and Kashta, who immediately preceded Piankhi. It also is possible that another of the burials may have been of Aserkamani, who was living in 950 BCE and who carried out expeditions in Egypt and along the Mediterranean coast of North Africa.

Pre-Napatan period

For the rulers who preceded the Egyptian conquest, see List of monarchs of Kerma.

For the rulers of Kush under Egypt, see Viceroy of Kush.

Napatan period

The period starting with Kashta and ending with Malonaqen is sometimes called the Napatan period. During this period, the seat of government and the royal palace were in Napata, and Meroë was a provincial city. The kings and queens are buried in Nuri and El-Kurru.

The numbering of the kings is based on László Török's The kingdom of Kush: handbook..

First phase

Kings of Nubia
Direct ancestors of the 25th dynasty

№	name of King	image	date	Burial	Queen(s)
//	King Alara		c. 795 to 752 BCE	Kurru 9?	Queen Kasaqa (Kurru 23)
1	King Kashta		c. 765–752 BCE	Kurru 8	Queen Pebatjma (Kurru 7?)

Twenty-fifth Dynasty of Egypt

King Piye invades Egypt, and for seven decades, Kushites rule Egypt.

Kings of Nubia and Pharaohs of Egypt

№	name of King	image	date	Burial	Queen(s)
2	Pharaoh Piye (Piankhi)		744-714 BCE	Kurru 17	Queen Tabiry (Kurru 53) Queen Abar (Nuri 53?) Queen Khensa (Kurru 4) Queen Peksater (Kurru 54) Nefrukekashta (Kurru 52)
3	Pharaoh Shebitku		714-705 BCE	Kurru 15	Queen Qalhata (Kurru 5) Queen Mesbat Queen Tabekenamun?
4	Pharaoh Shabaka		705–690 BCE	Kurru 18	Queen Arty (Kurru 6)
5	Pharaoh Taharqa		690–664 BCE	Nuri 1	Queen Takahatenamun (Nuri 21?) Queen Atakhebasken (Nuri 36) Queen Naparaye (Kurru 3) Queen Tabekenamun?
6	Pharaoh Tantamani		664–653 BCE	Kurru 16	Queen Piankharty Queen [..]salka Queen Malaqaye? (Nuri 59)

Second phase

The Kushites no longer control Egypt. The Kings rule over Napata and Meroe as before the conquest of Egypt.

Kings of Nubia (Napata)

№	name of King	image	date	Burial	Queen(s)
7	King Atlanersa		653–640 BCE	Nuri 20?	Queen Khaliset Queen Maletaral (Nuri 41) Queen Yeturow (Nuri 53) Queen Peltasen Queen Taba[..]
8	King Senkamanisken		640–620 BCE	Nuri 3	Queen Nasalsa (Nuri 24) Queen Amanimalel? (Nuri 22?)
9	King Anlamani		620–600 BCE	Nuri 6	Queen Madiqen ? (Nuri 27)
10	King Aspelta		600–580 BCE	Nuri 8	Queen Mediken? (Nuri 27) Queen Henuttakhebit (Nuri 28) Queen Asata (Nuri 42) Queen Artaha (Nuri 58) (not certain) Meqemale (Nuri 40) (not certain)
11	King Aramatle-qo		568–555 BCE	Nuri 9	Queen Atmataka (Nuri 55) Queen Piankhher Queen Maletasen (Nuri 39) Queen Amanitakaye (Nuri 26) Queen Akheqa (Nuri 38)
12	King Malonaqen		555–542 BCE	Nuri 5	Queen Tagtal (nuri 45)

Meroitic period

First phase

The Kings ruled over Napata and Meroe. The seat of government and the royal palace are in Meroe. The Main temple of Amun is located in Napata, but the temple at Meroe is under construction. Kings and many queens are buried in Nuri, some queens are buried in Meroe, in the West Cemetery.

Kings of Nubia (Meroe)

№	name of King	image	date	Burial	Queen(s)
13	King Analmaye		542–538 BCE	Nuri 18
14	King Amaninatakilebte		538–519 BCE	Nuri 10
15	King Karkamani		519–510 BCE	Nuri 7
16	King Amaniastabarqa		510–487 BCE	Nuri 2
17	King Siaspiqa		487–468 BCE	Nuri 4	Queen Piankhqew-qa? (Nuri 28)
18	King Nasakhma		468–463 BCE	Nuri 8	Queen Saka'aye? (Nuri 31)
19	King Malewiebamani		463–435 BCE	Nuri 11	Queen Akhrasan ? (Nuri 32)
20	King Talakhamani		435–431 BCE	Nuri 16
21	King Amanineteyerike		431–405 BCE	Nuri 12	Queen Atasamale?
22	King Baskakeren		405–404 BCE	Nuri 17
23	King Harsiotef		404–369 BCE	Nuri 13	Queen Batahaliye Queen Pelkha Henutirdis ?
24	King (unknown Qore)		369–350 BCE	Kurru 1
25	King Akhraten		350–335 BCE	Nuri 14
26	King Amanibakhi		2nd half 4th century BCE	??
27	King Nastasen		335–315 BCE	Nuri 15	Queen Sakhmakh (Nuri 56?)

Second phase

The seat of government and the royal palace are in Meroe. Kings and many queens are buried in Meroe, in the South Cemetery. Napata's only importance is the Amun Temple.

Kings of Nubia (Meroe)

№	name of King	image	date	Burial	Queen(s)
28	King Aktisanes		Early 3rd century BCE	Barkal 11 or 14	Kandake Alakhebasken
29	King Aryamani		first half 3rd century BCE	Barkal 11 or 14
30	King Kash(...)		first half 3rd century BCE	Barkal 15?
31	King Piankhi-yerike-qa		first half 3rd century BCE	??
32	King Sabrakamani		first half 3rd century BCE	Barkal 7

Third phase

The seat of government and the royal palace are in Meroe. Kings are buried in Meroe, in the North Cemetery, and Queens in West Cemetery. Napata's only importance is the Amun Temple. Meroe flourishes and many building projects are undertaken.

Kings of Nubia (Meroe)

№	name of King	image	date	Burial	Queen(s)
33	King Arakamani (Arkamani-qo, Ergamenês)		270–260 BCE	Beg. S 6
34	King Amanislo		260–250 BCE	Beg. S 6
35	King Amantekha		mid-3rd century BCE	Beg. S 4
36	King Sheshep-ankh-en-Amun Setepenre		mid/late 3rd century BCE	??
37	King Arnekhamani		mid/late 3rd century BCE	Beg. N 53
38	King Arqamani		3rd/2nd century BCE	Beg. N 7
39	King Adikhalamani		2nd century BCE	Beg. N 9
40	King [...]mr[...]t		2nd century BCE	Beg. N 8
41	King (unknown Qore)		2nd century BCE	Beg. N 10
42	Queen Shanakdakhete		c. 170-150 BCE	Beg. N 11
43	King Tanyidamani		late 2nd century BCE /early 1st century BCE	Beg. N 12?
44	King Naqyrinsan		early 1st century BCE	Beg. N 13
45	King (unknown Qore)		early 1st century BCE	Beg. N 20
46	King (unknown Qore)		middle 1st century BCE	Barkal 1 ?
47	King Aqrakamani		c. 29–25 BCE	??
48	King Teriteqas		c. 29–25 BCE	Barkal 2
49	Queen Amanirenas		c. 40-10 BCE	Barkal 4
50	Queen Amanishakheto		c. 10 BCE-1 CE	Beg. N 6
51	Queen Nawidemak		early 1st century CE	Barkal 6?
52	King Amanikhabale		middle 1st century CE	Beg. N 2?
53a	King Natakamani		mid/late 1st century CE	Beg. N 22	Queen Amanitore (coregent)
53b	Queen Amanitore		mid/late 1st century CE	Beg. N 1

Crown princes from the time of Natakamani and Amanitore

• Arikhankharer
• Arikakahtani

Fourth phase

Twilight of the Meroitic Culture. Kings are buried in Meroe, in the North Cemetery, and Queens in West Cemetery. In 350 CE Meroe is destroyed by Axum.

List and dates from The Cambridge history of Africa, by J.D. Fage, and R.A. Oliver and from The kingdom of Kush: the Napatan and Meroitic empires, by Derek A. Welsby. The order in which the kings and queens ruled and dates are not consistent between authors. Approximate dates have been given.

Kings of Nubia (Meroe)

name of King	image	date	Burial
King Shorkaror		1st century CE	Beg. N 10
King Pisakar		1st century CE	Beg. N 15
Queen Amanitaraqide		c. 25–41 CE	Beg. N 16
King Amanitenmemide		1st century CE	Beg. N 17
Queen Amanikhatashan		c. 62–85 CE	Beg. N 18
King Teritnide		1st century CE	Beg. N 40
King Tamelerdeamani		2nd century CE	Beg. N 34 or 27
King Adeqatali		2nd century CE	Beg. N 41
King Takideamani		2nd century CE	Beg. N 29
King Tarekeniwal		2nd century CE	Beg. N 19
King Amanikhalika		2nd century CE	Beg. N 32
King Aritenyesbokhe		2nd century CE	Beg. N 30
King Amanikhareqerem		2nd century CE	Beg. N 37
King Teritedakhatey		early 3rd century CE	Beg. N 38
King Aryesbokhe		early 3rd century CE	Beg. N 36
King Teqorideamani		3rd century CE	Beg. N 28
King Yesbokheamani		3rd century CE	Beg. N 24
Prince? Maleqorobar		c. 300
King Talakhidamani		c. 300
Queen Amanipilade		c. 308–320

(Unknown sequence thereafter)

See also

• Kandake, female rulers of Kush

Sources

• Stewart, John (1989). African States and Rulers: An Encyclopedia of Native, Colonial, and Independent States and Rulers Past and Present. Jefferson: McFarland & Company. p. 395 Pages. ISBN 0-89950-390-X.

External links

• The Rise of the Kushite Kingdom by Brian Yare