Talakhidamani (orTalakhideamani)^[1] was theking of Kush in the mid or late 3rd century AD, perhaps into the 4th century. He is known from twoMeroitic inscriptions, one of which commemorates a diplomatic mission he sent to theRoman Empire.^[2][3]

Talakhidamani's reign is tentatively placed between those ofTamelerdeamani andAryesebokhe. His dates are uncertain, but a different king was ruling in 253. He is associated with a diplomatic mission usually dated to around 260, but his inscriptions have been put closer to c. 300 on palaeographic grounds.^[3]

The name Talakhidamani consists of three elements: the stemtlh, the verbal suffixid and the name of the godAmun,amani. The last part is a universal element in the regnal names of later Kushite rulers. The first part may correspond toGreekNike and signify victory. On this interpretation, the name means "he is victorious, Amun" and is equivalent to that of the 5th-century BC Kushite rulerTalakhamani.^[2]

The Philae relief. The inscription mentioning Talakhidamani is in front of the third figure from the left.

Talakhidamani is named in an inscription (no. REM 0101) placed in the so-called "Meroitic chamber" of the temple ofIsis atPhilae, where his name is spelledTlhidmni. The name is preceded by the titleqore (king) and that of another person,Maloqorebar, whose name probably means "beautiful is the boy of the kings". The two are placed under the protection of the goddess Patarus (an epithet of Isis) and the child godHorus. It has been tentatively suggested that Talakhidamani was ruling on behalf of a child, Maloqorebar, who had not yet received a regnal name.^[2]

The Philae inscription is part of a larger representation in relief of a diplomatic mission meant to maintain contact with theRoman authorities in Egypt. Several members of the prominentWayekiye family took part. The inscription itself is a letter from one of the diplomats describing the presents brought for the gods on behalf of the royalty who sent the mission, which apparently visited theAbaton as well as Philae. It is unknown if they went into Roman territory or to Rome itself.^[3]

Talakhidamani also had an inscription placed on a stone in the temple of Amun outside the walls ofMeroë, where his name is spelledTlhidemn[i]. Both inscriptions appear to have been written by scribes from the same circle, which suggests that the Philae inscription was written by a scribe sent from Meroë, the Kushite capital. Prior to the discovery of the Meroë inscription, the name in the Philae inscription was often read as Lakhidamani (Lhidmni) and treated as feminine, that is, the name of akandake. The absence of Maloqorebar's name on this inscription may suggest that he died before it was carved. The inscription asks the god for five gifts, but these cannot be translated.^[2]

Three graffiti inMeroitic cursive at theGreat Enclosure of Musawwarat, originally thought to refer Talakhamani, may actually refer to Talakhidamani, but this is speculative.^[2]

• Kings of Kush
• 3rd-century monarchs in Africa