NILE Magazine

Because You Love Ancient Egypt
  • Home
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Subscribe
  • Past Issues
  • Free Samples
  • About NILE
  • Home
  • DIGITAL EDITION
  • Subscribe
  • Past Issues
  • Free Samples
  • About NILE

2015 May

01_Kragen 1D - Stefan Büchner.jpg

Even a warrior queen likes nice things

Jeff Burzacott May 28, 2015

The broad collar of a Queen who led the African resistance against Emperor Augustus.

 To the south of Egypt, in what is now northern Sudan, lay Kush, a powerful African kingdom with its capital at Meroe.

 In 24 B.C., shortly after Queen Cleopatra committed suicide and Egypt came under Roman domination, Emperor Augustus sent his troops south to meet an army led by a Kushite Queen, most likely Queen Amanishakheto.

 The Roman action was in retaliation to a successful attack the Queen had launched a year earlier on the Roman forces at Aswan.

 Despite putting up a brave fight, Amanishakheto's forces were driven back to Meroe and the Romans installed a garrison there to keep an eye on their troublesome neighbours. The two parties eventually agreed to a peace deal and the warrior Queen, evidently a master of diplomacy as well, won back much of their land.

 In time the Queen was buried in style in a large pyramid at Meroe, given the modern designation of 'North 6'. Included in her subterranean burial chamber was a fabulous collection of jewellery, discovered in 1834 by Italian treasure hunter Giuseppe Ferlini.

 Alongside the hoard of gold bracelets and rings was a magnificent broad collar in stone, faience and glass (above). The kingdom of Kush had been independent of Egypt for a thousand years when Amanishakheto faced the Romans, but was still strongly influenced by ancient Egypt's legacy. This collar is composed of a number of forms of ancient Egyptian amulets, including the ankh sign ('life'), the wedjat ('eye of Horus'), fish and scarabs.

 The necklace is part of an exhibition which has been at the Neues Museum in Berlin titled 'Everyday - Luxury - Protection. Jewellery in Ancient Egypt'.

 Photo: Stefan Buchner

  • 2015 May
  • Older
  • Newer
Satisfy your passion for ancient Egypt.NILE Magazine June-July 2017 is out now. Inside:- The Tomb-1000 years of robbery and reuse.- Egypt's first ever funerary garden discovered.- World Museum's new ancient Egypt gallery.- Art and Archaeol…

Satisfy your passion for ancient Egypt.
NILE Magazine June-July 2017 is out now. Inside:
- The Tomb-1000 years of robbery and reuse.
- Egypt's first ever funerary garden discovered.
- World Museum's new ancient Egypt gallery.
- Art and Archaeology meet: the two worlds of Susan Osgood.
- The Royal Tombs of Ancient Egypt.
- Aswan's powerful governors.
- On This Day in Egyptology history.
- Plus much more.

Click on the cover to subscribe.

Featured
Mar 25, 2017
Dark, isn't it? Happy Earth Hour!
Mar 25, 2017

I love that we know the Great Sphinx so well, we can pick it from just the silhouette.

Read More →
Mar 25, 2017
Mar 24, 2017
Intact Middle Kingdom tomb discovered in Aswan
Mar 24, 2017

Shemai was the younger brother of Sarenput II, the powerful governor of Elephantine.

Read More →
Mar 24, 2017
Mar 4, 2017
The Dream Stela restored
Mar 4, 2017

The Ministry of Antiquities is working to preserve Thutmose IV's fanciful story.

Read More →
Mar 4, 2017
  • Contact NILE
  • Index
  • Write for Nile
  • Join The Team
  • FAQs
  • Societies & Clubs

All rights reserved © Nile Magazine 2024

NILE Magazine

Because You Love Ancient Egypt