Kandake Shanakdakhete of Meroe (reigned c. 170 BCE to 150 or 160 BCE)
Shanakdakhete is the first of the Meroe region Kandake (‘Queen’) to rule independently rather than serving as consort or queen mother. She increased the territory under her rule and strengthened the economy. Meroe, located in present day Sudan, shared culture and religious beliefs with ancient Egypt. Shanakdakhete performed high level religious functions. To illustrate her status, she referred to herself as “Son of Ra, Lord of the Two Lands, beloved of Ma’at” in her inscriptions. Archaeologists are piecing together details of her rule from the scant evidence she left behind. One statute shows her wearing an elaborate crown, with a prince standing next to her holding the headpiece. This indicates she had an heir, which may have been her successor Tanyidamani.