| Nawidemak | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Depiction of Nawidemak in her tomb | |
| Reign | First half of the 1st century AD (?) |
| Predecessor | Unknown king (Bar. 2) (?) |
| Successor | Amanikhabale |
| Burial | Meroe (Bar. 6) |
Nawidemak was aqueen regnant ofKush who probably ruled in the first half of the 1st century AD.[1] She is known from the wallrelief of her burial chamber, as well as a gold plaque.
Nawidemak was a ruler of theKingdom of Kush, either from the 1st century BC,[2] or 1st century AD.[1][3] Objects from the late reign of Roman emperorAugustus or even later, found in Nawidemak's tomb, support the later date.[1]
Nawidemak is known from the wallrelief of her burial chamber at (Bar. 6), which shows her wearing the royal coat, sash and tasselled cord; these elements are more commonly shown with male rulers of Kush.[2] Both the fastening knot on her coat, and on the cord feature a couchant animal, which is another symbol of royalty. This symbol makes its latest appearance in Nawidemak's relief, having been used in Kushite designs since the 3rd century BC. In the relief, she wears the crown ofOsiris on her head.[4]
On the northern wall of the chamber, Nawidemak is shown with a long skirt and with barebreasts, which is symbolic of herfertility and as the mother of another ruler.[2] A gold tablet referring to Nawidemak is included in the collection of theAllen Memorial Art Museum inOberlin, Ohio.[5] Nawidemak is assumed to have been the mother ofAmanikhabale; if true, Amanikhabale was likely her direct successor on the throne.[6]
Because her pyramid was built atGebel Barkal, instead ofMeroe as was customary at the time, there may have been a change of dynasty at this time.[7]
Nawidemak was a female ruler of Kush, known as akandake. These rulers are each referred to in theNew Testament of theBible, without differentiation between them. Based on the idea that she ruled during the 1st Century AD, Nawidemak is thought to be the Kandake referred to in the eighth chapter of theActs of the Apostles,[3] whose treasurer was converted to Christianity byPhilip the Evangelist.
Kushite monarchs and rulers | ||
|---|---|---|
| Main topics |  | |
| Viceroys atKerma | ||
| Napatan | ||
| Early Meroitic | ||
| Late Meroitic |
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